A Central Community School Board committee will receive a report by attorney Sheri Morris on Monday that should influence what recommendation it will make to the full board in determining whether Houston-based PBK Architects retains the bids for new elementary and middle schools. The firm is currently under investigation by the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners and may face fines for not having a license from the state when they bid for the projects in July and beat out two other firms. LSBAE cannot forbid the school board from entering into a contract with PBK, which was issued a license by the state in October.
The board voted to purchase a $2.4 million, 83-acre site for the two proposed schools on Sullivan Road at Gurney Road last week, but Superintendent Michael Faulk says the board is in a holding pattern on PBK until they hear Morris’ report. “We haven’t decided on a course of action yet,” he says. “Once we do that, then we can put this into its proper perspective. We want to do what’s in the best interests of the public.” —Emma James
