By JIM BUTLER
It’s officially time to put the white elephant down.
The School Board has tried otherwise but the North Bayou Rapides Elementary building’s days are numbered.
Board members at their Tuesday meeting are expected to give the go-ahead for demolition and removal of the structure.
Closed since 2021, the building that hosted hundreds of students over decades will be declared no longer necessary to the system, an initial step in its formal demise.
It’s a step delayed as the board since 2023 has tried to find a buyer. In January this year it readily accepted a $350,000 bid, but that transaction never reached closing.
Now, the board will authorize Superintendent Jeff Powell and staff to proceed, doing what is necessary without returning to the board for permission on each facet, provided each is within budget and policies.
Age makes it likely there will be a host of special steps, procedures, permissions and the like necessary before actual razing begins.
The building dates from the era of asbestos and lead paint; mold has likely found a comfortable home in dark, damp, warm surroundings.
Removing and disposing of such is among necessary steps beforehand.
And precautions — fencing and such — necessary to keep souvenir hunters, salvage hounds and just plain looking-loos away have to be taken.
Once all is said and done the board will have 12 acres to market.