Fisher Middle-High Family,

Maintaining an open dialogue with you is key to our recovery efforts, so I’m writing to you with our monthly update for Fisher Middle-High. 

Last month, Board President Moise and I spent time in our nation’s capital as part of the Jefferson Chamber’s Washington D.C. Fly-in Tour. As part of our visit, we met individually with representatives of our U.S. and state senators, where we shared about how we could use their support and advocacy in working with FEMA to obtain the acceptance of the floodplain manager’s Fisher declaration. We discussed the steps we’ve taken to receive these recovery funds in a timely manner and the importance of being able to rebuild and repair our buildings as quickly as possible. We also drafted a letter and shared it with our U.S. and state senators. 

While we are still awaiting a decision on what will be covered by FEMA reimbursement, last night, our School Board approved Verges Rome as the architect/engineer for Fisher Middle-High School design. While this is contingent upon receiving written notification from FEMA that they agree with the damage assessment, this was a proactive step so we can move as quickly as possible with rebuilding the permanent Fisher campus once we hear back from FEMA.

We continue to ready the Fisher field area, and we will be removing the bleachers and press box soon in the hopes of  hosting two daytime football games this season.

Our contractor is also making progress on readying the West Bank Community campus for our Fisher students, staff, and families. They are continuing demolition and renovation to the campus as well as painting the exterior of the buildings.

As I noted in the letter to our national and state senators, Fisher is an integral part of the Lafitte community. In a small town like Lafitte, a school provides a place for people to come together Whether it is a school play, a football game, or an after-school stop at the snowball stand, these things are at the heart of a community and help promote social, economic, and cultural development.  

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to providing you with another update the week of October 31. I hope you all have a restful and relaxing fall break.

Dr. James Gray

Fisher Middle-High Family,

Our goal is to ensure that our students have modern schools to learn in that will stand the test of time. After an evaluation by the architect of all buildings on campus, all but two buildings were identified as substantially damaged. The floodplain manager also recently declared the Fisher Middle/High campus over 50% substantially damaged, including all buildings except the library and athletic building. Now, we are awaiting a decision on what will be covered by FEMA reimbursement. This latest substantially damaged notification is the next step to ensuring the long-term solution to Fisher’s campus is one that will serve the students, families, staff, and community for decades to come.

I know you want to be back home at your Lafitte campus. That day will come. Until then, we are doing all we can to ensure the West Bank Community campus can comfortably serve our students, employees, and families. On August 3, our School Board approved a contractor to begin demolition and renovation to the campus. Since then, the contractor has been hard at work gutting and upgrading the facilities. For photos of the progress, you can see below. At this week’s board meeting, the board approved the lease of two modular buildings that will provide additional classroom space and restrooms. These modular buildings should be delivered to the West Bank Community campus later this month. 

While the practice field is open, we are working to ready other parts of the field area. Having a designated area for spectators is one step to this process. We are working to add temporary bleachers and remove the current bleachers in the hopes to be able to host two daytime football games this fall season.

While there are a number of factors beyond our control in the recovery process, one area we can control is regular and transparent communication. Communication with our Fisher community remains a priority. Our next update will be provided the week of October 3. Thank you for your continuous support.

Dr. James Gray

West Bank Community Demolition In Progress:

Fisher Middle-High Family,

Maintaining an open dialogue with you is key to our recovery efforts, so I’m writing with our monthly update for Fisher Middle-High. We are excited to welcome back Fisher Middle-High students beginning Monday, August 8 on their current shared campus at John Ehret High. This temporary plan is based on the long-term solution for Fisher’s campus.

Our teams remain hard at work to return students to their Lafitte campus as soon as possible. We know how important athletics are to the Fisher and Lafitte community, and we have been working diligently to make stadium repairs to allow for a sense of normalcy for our students, families, and community members. Renovations to the stadium’s field are complete, and we are awaiting a final test before students and staff can use the field to practice. Please visit https://www.jpschools.org/LafitteReturn to see a photo of the updated football field. The plan is to use the stadium’s field for practice and to host two daytime football games this upcoming fall season.

After the architect’s initial assessment in July, ICF determined revisions to the assessment needed to include the stadium bleachers and press box. We are re-submitting the architect evaluation tomorrow to include the assessment of the bleachers and press box. The stadium’s bleachers were severely damaged and must be torn down before temporary bleachers are added. Hosting games at the stadium will be dependent on temporary bleachers and portable restrooms being installed. 

After an evaluation by the architect of all buildings on campus, all but two buildings were identified as substantially damaged. The appropriate paperwork has been completed and submitted to FEMA and local officials based on this information. We are awaiting a decision on what will be covered by FEMA reimbursement and will keep you updated on this process. 

Fisher Middle-High students are still expected to transition to a temporary site at the West Bank Community School campus in early 2023. This return remains on schedule. Renovations continue to convert the facility to a site appropriate to house a middle-high school. This includes the installation of two portable 20 classroom buildings with restrooms, which are scheduled to be delivered to the West Bank Community campus in September. The construction company is also adding a new parking lot, new ceiling and lighting, restroom renovations, and painting throughout the campus. The work taking place will ensure this temporary campus can support Fisher Middle-High employees, students, and families until their permanent home opens in Lafitte. 

During the months since Hurricane Ida, I know you have made sacrifices, had to be adaptable, and exhibit endurance. Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We will continue to keep you informed about the recovery progress, and the next update will be provided September 5. Thank you for your efforts in providing the education our children deserve, and for continuing to show up for our children and one another.

Dr. James Gray

Fisher Middle-High Family,

I hope you and your family are enjoying the summer break. Our teams remain hard at work to return students to their Lafitte campuses as soon as possible. I’m writing with our monthly update on the recovery process for Fisher Middle-High.

Your school remains on schedule. Fisher Middle-High students are still expected to transition to a temporary site at the West Bank Community School campus in early 2023. The entire West Bank Community School campus will be dedicated to Fisher Middle-High until a new permanent school is completed in Lafitte. Fisher Middle-High students will open the 2022-23 school year on their current shared campus at John Ehret High.

We are awaiting final specifications from the architect assigned to the Fisher Middle-High campus. This is an additional step we are required to take as we determine whether to repair or replace the existing facilities. Work is also continuing at West Bank Community School to ensure that site can meet the needs of middle and high school students, employees, and families. This temporary plan is based on the long-term solution for Fisher’s campus.

We will continue to keep you informed about the recovery progress, and the next update will be provided August 5. Thank you for your continuous support and understanding as we move forward for our students and our Lafitte community.

Dr. James Gray

Dear Fisher Middle/High School Family,

I have often stated that the key to our recovery efforts would be continuous communication. With this in mind, the following message is part of the monthly communication update that will be sent from me to you on where we are in the recovery process at your school.

Currently, a comparative cost analysis is being conducted on whether to replace or repair the building. This is a step required by FEMA to ensure we reach the most cost efficient outcome. Additionally, temporary repairs to Westbank Community School are still underway. This Friday, bids to ready the school will be advertised. 

Your continued patience and flexibility is greatly appreciated. I am certain that as we continue to work together while we navigate the tides of this recovery process, our campus, school, and community will be stronger and more unified than ever. The next update will be provided on Wednesday, July 6 and remember to visit jpschools.org/LafitteReturn for your school’s hurricane recovery updates.

Dr. James Gray

Dear Fisher Middle/High School Family,

I have often stated that the key to our recovery efforts would be continuous communication. With this in mind, the following message is part of the monthly communication update that will be sent from me to you on where we are in the recovery process at your school.

We are continuing to ready Westbank Community campus as a temporary location, but progress continues to be made at Fisher Middle/High.The board approved replacing the synthetic astroturf football field that will be installed this summer and ready. The field will then be accessible to be used as a practice facility by this upcoming fall semester. A full evaluation of the electrical grid for the field lighting will still need to be conducted before the stadium can be used entirely. 

While progress is certainly being made, I can not thank you enough for your patience and flexibility. Our school family is adapting today, so that tomorrow our kids can learn on a campus that is less vulnerable to the threat of future hurricanes. The next update will be provided on Monday, June 6, and remember to visit jpschools.org/LafitteReturn for your school’s hurricane recovery updates. 

Dr. James Gray 

Fisher Middle-High Family,

The plan is still for Fisher Middle-High employees and students to begin next school year on the shared campus at John Ehret High before moving to a renovated temporary home at the former West Bank Community School campus later in the school year. However, we wanted to provide you with an update on the Fisher campus. 

Last week, we conducted a walkthrough of the Fisher campus with representatives from the following:

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
2. Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP)
3. JP Schools FEMA consultants

During the two-day long process, the entire facility was assessed, including the football field and softball field. Our goal was to ensure the representatives had the proper documentation to systematically measure and identify damages. In addition to this walkthrough, our JP Schools FEMA consultants also conducted an independent damage assessment report. 

The information obtained from this walkthrough and report will be used to assist with future decisions. Since all decisions must be supported with substantial evidence, this information will provide insight as we continue to determine the long-term solution to Fisher's campus and assist with the return of daily school operations to Lafitte.

As a next step, JP Schools will launch an online hub. The hub will include resources and the latest information about Fisher progress, and we will share more information about it soon.

Thank you for your continuous support. While I know the road to recovery has been longer for Lafitte than other areas in the parish, we are focused on supporting long term recovery efforts for all our children. The end result will be a stronger, more resilient Fisher community.

Dr. James Gray

Fisher Middle-High Family,

We hosted a town hall tonight in Lafitte to update employees, families, and the community on progress to safely bring back our two Lafitte campuses. I know everyone was not able to attend, so I am writing to update you on what was shared.

Fisher Middle-High employees and students will begin the 2022-23 school year in their current shared campus at John Ehret High before moving to a renovated temporary home at the former West Bank Community School campus later in the school year. Extensive renovations are underway to convert this facility from a community school to a site appropriate to house a middle-high school. The work taking place now will ensure this temporary home can adequately support Fisher Middle-High employees, students, and families until their permanent home opens in Lafitte.

I asked the architects and contractors to attend tonight’s town hall and explain the scope of their work at the West Bank Community campus. Here is some of the information they shared.

• Meyer Engineers and Architects has been tasked with converting the temporary campus into a facility suitable for serving a middle-high school.
• Meyer has over 50 years experience with JP Schools and the Town of Lafitte.
• Meyer began documenting existing conditions in January to develop scope of work and ensure alignment with government regulations.
• Bidding and the start of construction should take place this summer.
• Construction should be completed this winter.
• Scope of work includes:
  • Modified gymnasium that can also serve as cafeteria
  • Installation of two 10-room portables
  • New parking lot
  • New ceiling
  • New lighting
  • Restroom renovations
  • Painting classrooms, band room, and main building
  • General patching and repairs

Ultimately, I know you want to be back home at your Lafitte campus. That day will come. Until then, we are doing all we can to ensure your temporary home is safe and can comfortably serve our students, employees, and families.

While there are a number of factors beyond our control in the recovery process, one area we can control is regular and transparent communication. Continuous communication with our Lafitte community remains a priority. In addition to our town halls and regular text and email updates, we will launch an online hub with resources and the latest information about our progress building back stronger in Lafitte. We will share more information about this web page in the coming weeks.

We are rebuilding Fisher Middle-High and Kerner Elementary stronger and for the long haul. These campuses are more than just a place for children to learn. They are an integral part of the Lafitte community. Doing things the right way now — even if it means waiting a little longer — helps ensure these campuses continue to serve Lafitte children for generations to come.

Dr. James Gray 

Kerner Elementary and Fisher Middle-High Family,

The Kerner Elementary and Fisher Middle-High campuses are more than just a place for children to learn. They are an integral part of the Lafitte community. 

In an effort to continue an open dialogue with you, I, along with School Board Member Tiffany Higgins-Kuhn, invite you to attend a town hall meeting. This meeting will be an opportunity to engage with us in person and to ask any additional clarifying questions. The Lafitte town hall meeting will take place Tuesday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Jean Lafitte Auditorium, located at 4953 City Park Street. It is my sincere hope that you can attend.

Together, I know we will keep moving forward with meeting the needs of both your child and our community. We will continue to show up for our students and one another. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. 

Dr. James Gray

Kerner Elementary and Fisher Middle-High Families,

It’s been almost five months since Hurricane Ida made landfall, and the impact of this historic storm is still felt by Jefferson Parish families. This is especially true for you, as the storm made your school buildings unsafe for immediate return. The Kerner Elementary and Fisher Middle-High campuses are more than just a place for children to learn. They are part of the social fabric. That’s why we are focused on ensuring these repairs can help those institutions sustain for the long haul. 

I’m grateful for your patience and partnership throughout this process. We’ve promised an open line of communication, and I’m writing to announce an upcoming opportunity to engage with us in person. We’ll be hosting a town hall in the next month and will be in touch soon with a date, time, and location. Similar to the town halls we hosted in the fall, you will hear from our team leading this project and can ask questions and share concerns important to you and your child. 

Although we have communicated updates, we think an in-person meeting to ask additional clarifying questions will be beneficial. I hope you can join us, and we will be in touch soon with more details about the town hall.

Dr. James Gray

Dear Fisher School Family, 

I hope this message finds you well and that your recoveries are coming along. The Lafitte community has made great progress, and with such substantial progress made, I would like to provide an update on Fisher School and where we are in the recovery process. 

At this time, considerations are being taken into account as we continue to work with local officials and representatives to determine a long-term solution to Fisher’s campus, what the best path forward is for Fisher School, and if this includes repairs to the school or an entire rebuild. With consideration that the campus has previously flooded five times, we want to ensure that we are being proactive in mitigating the risk of future flooding. 

Our Facilities Committee meeting was held last week, and the recommendation was made to our board to assign an architect and engineer to design and reoccupy West Bank Community School into a temporary high school campus, which is located at 2590 Barataria Blvd. This option allows for enough time to determine what would be the most optimal solution moving forward. As a next step, West Bank Community School is being prepared to act as a stand alone campus, as we anticipate that Fisher’s campus will not be ready for next school year. We will be supplying temporary modular classrooms, restrooms, a cafeteria, and kitchen. 

Although recovery efforts are coming along, there is still a great deal of work that lies ahead regarding replacements and repairs. We all know that hurricane recovery has its challenges, and fluctuating circumstances can cause well-organized plans to change. This process requires a very coordinated effort amongst various departments, but I am confident that these repairs will be seen through successfully, as the recovery process has been efficient thus far. 

At this time, we can confirm that Fisher students will finish their school year at John Ehret High School. I recognize that returning to Fisher School at the start of the new school year may not be the most hoped-for outcome, but please note that this option offers a long term solution to a temporary problem. I encourage you to continue to look after one another as we continue to work to restore our community, as it is that sense of unity that has kept us moving forward together. 

We will continue to provide updates as progress is made, as we want to ensure that you are kept informed of Fisher School, a vital part of the Lafitte community. 

Dr. James Gray

Dear Fisher School Family, 

As you all have taken time to become acclimated with the recent adjustments made, I would like to provide an update on the status of your school campus. 

At this time, Fisher School remains inaccessible for in person learning, but we continue to work with local officials and representatives to determine the long-term solution to Fisher's campus. Fisher’s students, faculty, and staff will continue to share a campus with John Ehret School. As previously mentioned, I recognize that efforts to maintain structure and stability are imperative for our children's growth and learning, and this plan allows us to continue to support that initiative. While I recognize the changes you’ve made have been an adjustment, I’m proud of the steps taken by our school community to overcome what has undoubtedly been an adverse set of circumstances. 

I have often said that maintaining an open dialogue with you is key to our restoration and recovery efforts, and I will continue to provide updates on any notable progress or changes made. 

The heartfelt stories shared showing how you all have looked after one another is a true depiction of our core values. Thank you for your patience and partnership as we move forward together to meet the needs of both our students and our community. Please continue to look after one another, as it is this attitude that has kept our district moving forward together. 

Dr. James Gray 

Dear Fisher Middle-High Families/Faculty and Staff,

The John Ehret High campus reopened to students today, and your students are still on schedule to return this Friday. The progress we have achieved together is remarkable - especially given the extensive damage to our aging facilities and Hurricane Ida’s impact on the lives of so many employees and families.

With all JP schools soon to be reopened, this will be my final weekly Hurricane Ida update. I hope these updates have been both informative and helpful. Please continue to stay connected to our regular school and district communications channels for new announcements and information. 

While I know the road to recovery may be longer for Lafitte than other areas in Jefferson Parish, it’s important to remember that the short term adjustments being made are supporting long term recovery efforts. The end result will be a stronger, more resilient community. As we move forward, updates will be provided as new information becomes available about the long-term status of Fisher’s campus. Thank you for your efforts in providing the education our children deserve, and for continuing to show up for our children and one another. 

Dr. James Gray

Dear Fisher Middle-High Families/Faculty and Staff,

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we finalize reopening plans. As I’ve shared previously, we want to be certain of our timeline prior to making it public. Our word to you matters, especially when you are dealing with so much uncertainty as you recover from Hurricane Ida. 

Fisher Middle-High students will return to school at the John Ehret High campus on Wednesday, October 6. Fisher Middle-High teachers will report virtually Thursday, September 30 and in-person to the John Ehret High campus Monday, October 4. This timeline allows us to finalize the logistic and operational elements that will support Fisher Middle-High students, employees, and families from their designated buildings on the John Ehret High campus. 

The timeline also allows John Ehret High students, employees, and families to adjust to shifts they are making in order to welcome Fisher Middle-High. As a tier 3 school, John Ehret High educators will return September 29, and students will return October 1. 

This temporary plan is based on the long-term solution for Fisher’s campus. We will continue to keep you updated throughout this process. Please continue to persevere, remain resilient, and look after one another. 

Dr. James Gray

Dear Fisher Families/ Faculty and Staff, 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work to resume a safe and welcoming in-person learning environment for both children and employees. As we shared Wednesday, our plan for Fisher to operate its own school from a shared campus with Ehret is temporary. This plan is based on the long-term solution for Fisher’s campus. Once we identify the long-term solution, we will share with you. 

As I mentioned yesterday,  we created a campus map (viewable at https://www.jpschools.org/Page/5181) that shows the buildings Fisher will operate out of. We will continue to update this map and share it with you as our Fisher, Ehret and district administrative team are continuously working to finalize logistics and plans. Fisher will have its own school time from 7:15 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. They will have their own building, classrooms, lunch, duty and bell schedule, parking for students and staff, and drop-off & pick-up area. Fisher middle school and Fisher high school students will also have separate bell schedules like they did earlier this school year while on Fisher’s campus. 

Mayor Kerner and School Board member Tiffany Higgins-Kuhn will also conduct a walk-through of the Ehret campus next week. Continuous communication is key to ensuring a smooth reopening, so we will share another update with you next Tuesday and as-needed. 

Throughout this challenging time, we will move forward with meeting the needs of both your child and our community. We will continue to show up for our students and one another. 

Dr. James Gray