Frost School Holds Ribbon Cutting for

New Library and Administrative Building

Superintendent Also Praises School for Academic Growth

Those participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Frost School library and administrative offices (pictured left to right) were:  John Blount, owner of Blount General Contractors; David Tate, School Board Member; Sid Kinchen, School Board Member; Ralph Willie, school construction inspector; Clint Mitchell, School Board Member; Bill Spear, Superintendent; Gene Hampton, Frost School Principal; Jeff Taylor, Livingston Parish Assessor; Stacey Wise, Frost Assistant Principal; Gwen Blanchard, former Frost Principal; Carey Comish, former Frost Principal; Chris Bankston, partner with Gasaway, Gasaway, Bankston Architects; Josh Watson, architect with Gasaway, Gasaway, Bankston; and Jack Stewart, executive director of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce.

            FROST, La. - Several school officials and local community members participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday at Frost School to celebrate the opening of that school's new library and administrative building.

            The new 3,600-square-foot facility will assist the school in managing its growing student population.  In addition to a new, larger library, four administrative offices, storage rooms and a reception area, the new building frees up space in the existing campus facilities for two classrooms and speech therapy offices.

            The façade of the K-8 campus was also improved during the construction phase, with red trim added to the school's blonde brick design, and parking was expanded and improved.

            "Our community is excited about the improvements to our school," said Frost Principal Gene Hampton.  "This new addition gives us some much-needed space for our teachers and students to work in a better learning environment."

            Superintendent Bill Spear congratulated the school on its expansion, but he also took time to tell the gathering how the school has grown its academic numbers.  He noted that Frost is projected to improve its School Performance Score from 93.7 to nearly 99 this year, according to preliminary calculations. 

At the same time, he said Frost's eighth-graders are out-pacing most eighth-graders across the state.  About 59 percent of the state's eighth graders scored proficient in math on the state's LEAP test, whereas 81 percent scored proficient in math at Frost.  In English and language arts, about 62 percent of the state's eighth graders scored proficient compared to 95 percent at Frost.  Those percentages were released in the state's most recent accountability report, Spear said.

"We're always excited about growth, but experiencing gains in academics is our number one goal," Spear said.  "Frost is definitely doing that, and we want to applaud the job that everyone is doing," Spear said.

            Hampton recognized school faculty and staff who were present, as well as former school principals and employees who have contributed to Frost School's growth process over the years. 

Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor, a graduate of Frost School when it was a K-6 school, shared his personal experiences when he attended school and it had only six teachers, including Principal Carey Comish, who also taught fifth and sixth grade at the same time.

"This small school has grown considerably since the time I was here.  I'm so proud of the important role it played in my life and the lives of so many in this community, and I am so glad to see it continue to grow and flourish.  This expansion we celebrate today is a testament to those who have worked here over the years, giving so much to this community to get us to where we are," Taylor said.

            School Board Member Clint Mitchell told how school officials worked with local architects and contractors to keep the construction within the system's budget.  He noted that the total cost of the new facility and upgrades was about $560,000.

The project was paid for with capital outlay monies saved by the district for one-time expenses, Spear said.

            The architect for the new addition was Chris Bankston of Gasaway, Gasaway, Bankston Architects and Planners of Hammond, and the contractor was John Blount of Blount General Contractors or Walker.