Last spring, after more than 100 years and a lot of controversy, John McDonogh High School closed its doors. The building is undergoing a $34 million renovation, but it's still not clear what kind of school will move into the building. Community members weighed in on the building's future at two public meetings last week.
The meetings were led by representatives from the Orleans Parish School Board, Recovery School District, and John McDonogh Steering Committee. The goal: get community input on the future of the school. And the community sent a clear message.
Nearly everyone who approached the microphone — parents of former students, John Mac alums, and neighbors who live near the school — said they want John McDonogh to re-open as a high school under OPSB control.
But it's not clear if that will happen. According to School Board projections, the number of elementary school students is growing faster than the number of high school students. So there's more need for a new K-8 school.
Some community members challenged these projections; others emphasized the need for a high school with vocational training.
John McDonogh would be the first school to transfer back to the OPSB after being taken over by the Recovery School District. The RSD will make a final decision about the school in January.
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