HLS 21RS-1107 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 13
BY REPRESENTATIVE MAGEE
SCHOOLS: Urges and requests the Terrebonne Parish School Board not to close Pointe-
Aux-Chenes Elementary School
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Terrebonne Parish School Board not to close Pointe-Aux-Chenes
3 Elementary School but to take all necessary measures to support and strengthen the
4 school; to provide that the House of Representatives will consider withholding
5 COVID-19 relief funding from the school board if it continues to close schools
6 unnecessarily; to commend the administration, faculty, staff, students, families, and
7 community supporters for their dedication to the preservation of the school and its
8 traditions; and to recognize and record for posterity the singular place this beloved
9 school holds in the community and in the history of Terrebonne Parish.
10 WHEREAS, the Terrebonne Parish School Board is considering the closure of
11Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School; and
12 WHEREAS, this school, which serves students in prekindergarten through fourth
13grade, many of whom are of Native American heritage, is inextricably woven into the fabric
14of the Pointe-Aux-Chenes community; and
15 WHEREAS, the mission statement of this school is "success begins when teachers,
16parents, and community members work together to ensure student achievement and promote
17positively awesome citizens"; and
18 WHEREAS, Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School is small but vibrant; there is a
19long history of community involvement that still thrives; parents and community members
20partner with the school as vital stakeholders, preparing students for their future as stewards
21of this unique bayou community; and
Page 1 of 4 HLS 21RS-1107 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 13
1 WHEREAS, the school's teachers and parents, Native American Tribal leaders, and
2local business owners all play a part in enriching the lives of the students; they provide
3activities and presentations that not only prepare students for future careers but also develop
4a knowledge and sense of belonging to the rich culture into which they were born; and
5 WHEREAS, in 2015, Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School received one of the top
6honors in the nation when it was named a 2015 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the
7United States Department of Education in recognition of its substantial progress in closing
8the achievement gap among students; it was one of only six schools in the state to earn this
9prestigious honor that year; and
10 WHEREAS, the "Gulf Guardian Award" was awarded to the school in recognition
11of the students' involvement in environmental issues, which is crucial in this part of the state
12and develops their leadership in the fight to preserve their heritage and home; and
13 WHEREAS, the proposal to shutter Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School, if
14approved, would not only disrupt the education of its students but would decimate a
15longstanding community and school traditions in this extremely tight-knit community; and
16 WHEREAS, requiring the students of Pointe-Aux-Chenes to travel to Montegut
17Elementary School, as is being proposed, could place them in harm's way, as travel between
18the two locations, despite the relatively short distance, can be treacherous; and
19 WHEREAS, parents, many of whom are alumni of the school, report feeling
20blindsided by this proposal; and
21 WHEREAS, closing this school would have a disproportionately negative impact on
22a school that has one of the largest Native American and French-speaking populations in all
23of Louisiana; and
24 WHEREAS, there is both a strong need and passionate community support for
25keeping Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School open in order to meet the needs of its
26students; and
27 WHEREAS, Louisiana and Terrebonne Parish will be receiving substantial funding
28for education, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations; Pointe-Aux-Chenes
29Elementary School, a Title I school where approximately 75% of the students are
Page 2 of 4 HLS 21RS-1107 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 13
1economically disadvantaged, serves the very populations targeted by the federal American
2Rescue Plan; and
3 WHEREAS, this proposal to close Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary could place the
4Terrebonne Parish School Board in jeopardy of losing federal funds; and
5 WHEREAS, the Pointe-Aux-Chenes community is unified in raising its voice to
6protest this proposal and the Louisiana House of Representatives joins its protest.
7 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
8Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Terrebonne Parish School Board
9not to close Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School but to take all necessary measures to
10support and strengthen this beloved school so that its legacy of excellence in education can
11continue for future generations.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives will consider
13withholding COVID-19 relief funding from the Terrebonne Parish School Board if it
14continues to unnecessarily close schools against the will of its constituents and to the
15detriment of the community.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby
17commend the administration, faculty, staff, students, families, and community supporters of
18Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School for their unwavering dedication to the preservation
19of the school and all of its traditions.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby
21recognize and record for posterity the singular and special place this school holds in the
22community and in the history of Terrebonne Parish and the tremendous pride and honor it
23brings to its community and to the state of Louisiana.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
25president of the Terrebonne Parish School Board, the superintendent of the Terrebonne
26Parish School District, and the principal of Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary School.
Page 3 of 4 HLS 21RS-1107 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 13
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 13 Original 2021 Regular Session Magee
Requests the Terrebonne Parish School Board not to close Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary
School but to support and strengthen the school. Provides that the House of Representatives
will consider withholding COVID-19 relief funding from the school board if it continues to
close schools unnecessarily. Commends the administration, faculty, staff, students, families,
and community supporters for their dedication to the preservation of the school and its
traditions. Recognizes and records for posterity the singular place the school holds in the
community and in the history of Terrebonne Parish.
Page 4 of 4