Letter: Shannon tribute shows how much Morgan City will lose when doors close

I recently attended the “Farewell to M.D. Shannon” ceremony. It was a beautiful tribute to the school, former and present principals, teachers, staff and students. M.D. Shannon looks better today than it did 50 years ago. I am certainly having a difficult time understanding the decision to close this school.
We heard many interesting facts about the school and the people who make up the M.D. Shannon “family.” If you are interested, you may want to get a copy of The Daily Review from Monday, May 16, 2016. It was a very good article about the bittersweet “celebration” for the school. The only things missing in the article were the emotional feelings expressed by everyone there.
I think everyone is aware of the financial problems and reduction in the number of students in St. Mary Parish, which we were told were some of the reasons a school had to be closed. How then can building a new school in Patterson be justified? No money, fewer students –– why is a new school needed? Also, a recent article in The Daily Review stated the school board “sailed” through approving the maintenance requests submitted by the schools. They “sailed” through the decision, while claiming they are in a budget crunch! I find this very hard to understand. You can see the amounts requested and approved in the May 10, 11 and 12 editions of The Daily Review.
Just a quick note: The school that the school board decided to compare to M.D. Shannon is requesting the largest amount of money, $181,000. Some of the issues are needing a “facelift,” removal of trees, and creating a parking lot (at a cost of $100,000). Asbestos tiles have to be replaced and air handlers have to be replaced. The school’s foundation has to be lifted and stabilized in eight known areas. They are also asking for security upgrades. In times of financial problems, are all of these necessary? It seems some of these requests are not immediately necessary, such as a parking lot.
By the way, M.D. Shannon did not ask for one cent in maintenance money last year. There were no needed “facelifts” or repairs. M.D. Shannon already has a parking lot, and is completely fenced in, which makes it a very secure school. Some of the other schools are not fenced in. M.D. Shannon has a large gymnasium, the other school does not, which many feel will be the next request by the school, and approval by the school board, costing millions of dollars.
We are aware that with the new building codes, there are improvements that must be made to M.D. Shannon. The school will have to have a new fire escape (a parent got a very reasonable quote to build one, much less than the first quoted to the school), an elevator, and a bathroom on the upper floor. It is my understanding the school board was supposed to have an elevator installed over 10 years ago, but kept putting it on hold. Now, it is one of the reasons given to close the school. Why haven’t these improvements been made before now? The board “sailed” through approving the requests submitted to them this year, and have made substantial loans to other schools for improvements.
While looking around during the ceremony, I noticed only two school board members to be present, Mr. Streva and Mr. McCarty. If there were any other members, I did not see them and I apologize for not recognizing them. Thank you, Mr. Streva and Mr. McCarty, for joining us in saying farewell to this great school, which has so much history. I think it would have been a respectful gesture for other members to attend, since it was the decision of some of them to close the doors after this school year.
No one wants any school to close in our community, but we have no choice in this matter, with the current economic situation.
Saying goodbye is never easy and the principal, teachers, staff and students had a very difficult time Saturday. However, memories and experiences cannot be taken away. They are ours to cherish. M.D. Shannon has a great principal and teachers, and they will certainly continue to excel in whatever school they find themselves. May God bless each and every one of them.
Gloria B. Roy
Proud former student
of M.D. Shannon Elementary