Officials break ground for new Patterson Junior High School

PATTERSON — Patterson Junior High School principal Suzanne Bergeron, teachers, school board officials, community leaders and members gathered together Wednesday with architects and construction team to officially break ground for new construction of the school.

“It’s an exciting time for our community that, once again, we worked hard at to accomplish,” said Ginger Griffin, president and District 5 representative of St. Mary Parish School Board. “But the end result was providing something that our children and community deserve.”

Projected construction of the initial phase is expected to be completed by early spring 2017. The complete phase of the school should be completed by the end of that year.

The new junior high school will cover a total of 96,800 square feet, said Jim Firmin of Firmin Architects in Morgan City. Building plans for a newly constructed space is 80,000 square feet.
Part of the current school will be demolished, but there are plans to refurbish 16,800 square feet.

PBK Architects of Houston are working with Firmin Architects on the junior high school project.

The new Patterson Junior High School will feature 45 classrooms with specific areas for special education, grade-level collaborative areas, a new library, cafeteria, and physical education facilities.

Wireless technology will be an added bonus throughout the school.

“Our aim is to have a one- to-one ratio with technology,” said Bergeron. “There will be a computer for every student or they’ll have the capability to have a laptop. That’s our dream and our hope by the time the school is finished.”

The creation of a new school was “much needed and way overdue,” said Janet Francois, a fifth-grade teacher at Patterson Junior High School.

“Our babies deserve the best. Everybody wants their children to be in a nice, safe environment conducive to learning. Our school is wonderful on its own, so if we get a new one, then that’s going to be way better for our babies. It’s something they can be proud of.”

Francois and her husband are former students of Patterson Junior High.

“The construction of a new school for the Patterson community is the epitome of an effort between community, board, teachers, students, and former Patterson Junior High students who claim that this school is long overdue,” said Teresa Bagwell, assistant superintendent of St. Mary Parish Schools.

In the past, the previous structure had problems with termites and flooding.

“The school, at this point, was becoming a money-guzzler to maintain,” said Leonard Armato, superintendent of St. Mary Parish Schools. “It made sense to go build a new school that is energy- efficient, plus it’s going to give our students a state-of-the-art facility. We look forward to that.”

While new development or construction in Patterson is always a positive for the community, for some former students the occasion is bittersweet.

“It can be a sad day when you see the demolition taking place and trees being removed,” said Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan, a former student. “But knowing what we are doing is for the future, that’s the most blessed part — advancement, technology, and a safe environment for our kids.”