By JIM BUTLER

Bears are nothing new for Jenifer Scott, newly appointed principal of the Bolton Academic & Performing Arts Magnet School.

She was first a Block High Bear, member of the Jonesville school’s class of 1986. Now she’s becoming the leader of the Bears of Bolton.

Many who do not know of her know of her father, who was principal and basketball coach at Block before a teaching/coaching career at Louisiana Christian University, née Louisiana College.

And still others will know of neither but will remember her uncle, the late H.P. Brooks Sr., who operated a Jonesville drug store for years and as an initial member of the Larto-Saline Lake Commission began the campaign that led to renewal of the vast sport-commercial fishery complex east of Alexandria.

Scott went on to Northwestern State, earning a degree in business administration and management before pursuing alternate certification in teaching and her master’s +30.

Before becoming principal of Rapides Academy for Advanced Academics in 2017 she was director of the Aiken Virtual Program for seven years. She has also been principal of Phoenix Elementary.

Now her charge is preparing the Vance Avenue facility for its new role, a student body of sixth through 12th graders beginning next August and the addition of preK-5th grade as early as the following August.

As previously noted by Superintendent Jeff Powell, it’s a daunting task.

A century-old plant has to be refurbished and remodeled, staff and faculty set on a transition path, student selection and enrollment procedures ironed out — the list is long, the calendar is not.