News

The Child Nutrition Program Freezer project, located just south of the School Board office on North Parkerson Avenue, is finally completed for the Acadia Parish School Board, with a ribbon cutting ceremony held Monday, June 26, following the APSB’s committee meetings. The construction project was proposed out of necessity due to the aging, often repaired, existing freezer facility, and the need for more square footage to better serve the 26 schools in the parish. Fortunately, the board was able to utilize federal Covid pandemic relief dollars to cover the costs of the facility. It made sense to direct these “one-time” dollars to this project for the district simply because of the unreliability of the existing main freezer and the need to expand capacity to better serve students across the district. The timelines for the completion of the project ended up being extended due to supply chain delays; however, the board is very pleased with the final product. Total square footage comes in at over 7,000 square feet with a price tag right at $3.2 million. Once the transition is completed to the new freezer, the existing freezer will be converted to much needed dry storage space for the food service program. Superintendent Scott Richard is appreciative of the board’s cooperation to allocate the one-time dollars to such a needed project that will serve all students of Acadia Parish. Board members on hand for the ribbon cutting were, top photo, from left, Ike Richard of District 7, James Etta David of District 1, Delo Hebert of District 3, Becky Atkinson of District 4, Milton Semar of District 8, Peggy Ancelet of District 2, Steve Jones of District 5 and Superintendent Scott Richard. (LSN photo by Lisa Soileaux)