LUTCHER, La. — The St. James Parish School Board has voted to declare St. James High School as surplus property, an action designed to speed its sale.
Officials say China-based Yuhuang Chemical Inc., a corporation set to begin building a $1.85 billion ethanol plant adjacent to the school site, is interested in the property.
The school board also declared its intent Tuesday to consider at its Jan. 13 meeting calling a May election asking voters to approve a tax-and-bond issue possibly at $50 million to finance construction of a new St. James High School complex in Vacherie.
The Advocate reports the board will decide the exact amount of the proposed bonded debt at its next meeting.
Superintendent Alonzo Luce says the chemical company would turn the main school building into an administrative corporation campus.