Letters to the Editor
The Advocate
P.O. Box 588
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Editor:
I am writing regarding a recent story that appeared in the Advocate about the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board plans for the renovation of Baton Rouge Magnet High School. I am a board member of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana and was the designated representative of that organization to the special committee named by Superintendent Placide that was charged with making recommendations for the future of BRMHS. I would like to offer some observations as a member of that committee.
First, the decision to use Lee High School to house BRMHS students while the building is renovated was not a decision of the committee. That idea was discussed by the committee but it was determined that the decision of how to use overcapacity school space to house BRMHS students during the school’s reconstruction was a School Board decision.
Second, the decision to renovate BRMHS has not been adopted by the School Board. The committee’s recommendation to Superintendent Placide does not mean the school is safe from the wrecking ball. Everyone who is concerned about the status of BRMHS should remain vigilant and be ready to move to protect this treasured historic structure.
Third, the decision to “renovate” BRMHS, if that is the ultimate decision of the School Board, does not mean that the historic elements of the building will be protected. Historic structures can be lost even if they are allowed to remain standing. A historic building is much more than its four walls but consists of many historic elements that comprise the essence of the building. I do not know of any inventory of the historic elements of BRMHS that has been performed. The fact that a recommendation to renovate has been made by the special committee does not mean that we should assume that plan will be adopted by the School Board or that the quality of the job will preserve the historic integrity of BRMHS.
I applaud Superintendent Placide for appointing the special committee. It demonstrates that she is sensitive to the feelings many in this community have for
BRMHS. However, the job is not done. I ask all who have an interest in seeing this part of Baton Rouge history remain standing stay informed of the status of this issue.
Mark Upton
436 Government Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
To: Baton Rouge Magnet High School Committee
From: Carolyn Bennett, Executive Director, and Lenore Feeney, Chair, for
Mr. Mark Upton
Representatives of the Foundation are pleased to be with you today at this third meeting. Attending also are Sandra Stokes, J. Michael Desmond, and Michele Deshotels.
We have prepared packets for each committee member which include:
• Mr. Upton’s September 21, 2007 letter and two page attachment outlining tax incentive programs;
• A National Trust publication that we have purchased for each member entitled: A Community Guide to Saving Older Schools. The Foundation for Historical Louisiana is the local partner of the Trust.
• A hard copy of the National Trust website first page focused on historic schools: http://www.nationaltrust.org/issues/schools/ for committee members to visit online;
• A three page printout sample of a school success story in Seattle,Washington. There are 38 examples cited. The majority of these school board and community stories are in (pdf) form that can be viewed and printed out for you to review when you are able;
• We would like to call your attention also to a very unique national resource. The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training which is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. NCPTT protects America’s historic legacy by equipping preservation professionals with progressive technology-based research and training.
The Center advances the application of science and technology to historic preservation. Working in the fields of archeology, architecture, landscape architecture and materials conservation, the Center accomplishes its mission through training, education, research, technology transfer and partnerships. NCPTT conducts in-depth research about current preservation issues at its laboratories in the historic Lee H. Nelson Hall in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Center’s research—including research developed across the country through its grants program—is available at no cost to our users.
Many of America’s most treasured cultural resources have benefited from NCPTT’s research, including the Statue of Liberty, Congressional Cemetery and a number of National Parks. We have written the Center and specifically asked for their professional help to Baton Rouge High and this committee.
Additionally, we are very pleased to have Walter Gallus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, DC with us today to address this committee briefly. Mr. Gallus has been part serving our state with hurricane recovery and is currently based in New Orleans and has offered his continued assistance.
Also in attendance are representatives of the statewide Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation which place historic Baton Rouge High School on its 2007-2008 endangered list--Stacy Jamieson, Executive Director, and Winifred Byrd, President.
Finally, there is a very “special edition” handout for you
prepared by the Glasgow School students of East Baton Rouge Parish teacher
Melanie Hanley who also is a member of the Foundation for Historical Louisiana
Board of Directors. We know you will enjoy reading about this historic
treasure—Baton Rouge High!