By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

RESERVE — St. John the Baptist Parish School Board continues to play the waiting game as another deadline has come and gone with no final word from FEMA regarding funding approval to fix two district schools.

Jennifer Boquet, media consultant for the school district, said final approval from FEMA is needed for the district’s application to the Alternative Procedures Pilot Program through the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013.

FEMA first missed a Feb. 20 deadline, and extended to deadline to May 20, which passed last week without word.

“This is the second deadline FEMA has missed with us,” Boquet said.

“We appear to be close and we can receive a call any day.”

FEMA approval is needed for the district to move forward with plans to remodel East St. John High School and rebuild Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, the two schools devastated by 2012’s Hurricane Isaac.

Construction work cannot begin at either campus until FEMA has approved and allocated funding.

Boquet said the school district’s grants and project manager, All South Engineers, is ready to move once funds are obligated.

“But until we get final FEMA approval, we are on hold,” Boquet said. “While we wait, we are constantly working on the design of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary.”