St. Tammany News

Delgado, the University of New Orleans, Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana Technical College will join with the St. Tammany Parish School System in the planned University Square educational park project. The project is in the planning stage, with the high school portion to be built if voters approve the bond renewal on March 8.

The learning park was the subject of the West St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday. St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis said the learning park is "visionary" and will become a model "not only for the state of Louisiana, but the entire country." Since the parish has a superior credit rating, the $40 million needed for construction for the university portion of the park will not cost taxpayers anything.

The land for the park has been donated by Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Co. and is located east of Louisiana Highway 434 and north of Interstate 12 and Lacombe.

The School System portion of the park will be built pending approval of the bond. This bond renewal will not cost taxpayers any additional taxes but is a renewal of existing millages.

Davis said the entire educational complex will have the look and feel of a university setting.

It will give the parish the ability and opportunity to do many things, said Davis, and will be a tremendous asset for the parish for future educational needs. He also said the commitment of the educational partners in this endeavor is needed for the future of St. Tammany Parish.

Dr. Randy Moffett, president of SLU, said the concept is unique.

"Ten to 12 years ago we would not have been able to do this. We've come a long way," said Moffett.

SLU can develop a new curriculum for the talented arts, technology and science students of St. Tammany Parish high schools, and the students can take their advanced coursework in a college setting. SLU will also continue to offer the 80 traditional college courses currently on satellite campuses in Covington and Slidell, Moffett said.

There will also be opportunities for a closer link with the business community of St. Tammany. Moffett said it will be a great opportunity to identify the educational needs of the community and be more responsive to those needs.

"It's a new and bold adventure," said Moffett.

Delgado currently serves about 1,700 students on the Northshore, 700 in Covington alone, with 500 coming from other Northshore parishes. With the learning park, Delgado hopes to have the allied health, nursing program, automobile and building trades programs all housed completely on the Northshore, said Johnson.

St. Tammany Parish School Board Superintendent Gayle Sloan said the learning park "is a dream come true for our school system." The advanced study center for the arts, science and technology will be much more cost effective than providing advanced facilities on all eight high school campuses.

The gifted and talented students and all who are committed to advanced studies will be able to earn almost a year of college credit while still in high school, Sloan said.

The vocational/technical opportunities will allow other students the opportunity to leave high school and go directly to work or further training for higher paying careers. Sloan said this facility will be cutting edge for many types of students.

With the combination of high school, vo-tech, community college and university facilities on one campus, many students in high school and college will be positively impacted as well as those older, non-traditional students who seek training or education to re-enter the work force.

Louisiana Technical College will also play an "integral part in the center," said Kim Rugon, provost and dean. They will be the first point of contact for the high school student and will provide classes that could possibly serve as a pathway to a two-year or four-year degree, said Rugon.

Davis, Sloan, Moffett, Johnson and Rugon agree the unique educational opportunity in the learning park is a result of putting aside "turf wars" and political concerns to benefit many types of students and the community as a whole.