South Park hearing could end today

By KEN FOUNTAIN
July 31, 2009
Posted: July 29, 2009, 8:55 PM CDT Last updated: July 30, 2009, 10:43 PM CDT

The lead attorney for Beaumont ISD expects testimony to conclude today in the hearing on whether the district can proceed with its plans to demolish South Park Middle School in order to build a new campus at the site. Sometime after the hearing, state district Judge Bob Wortham could rule on whether to grant the request for a temporary injunction by the Beaumont Historic Society and 1969 South Park High School graduate Eddie Estilette, the plaintiffs seeking to prevent the 1923 building's destruction. Michael Getz, the plaintiff's attorney, said after Thursday's proceedings that if the judge rules in their favor, he hopes his clients and school officials come to a resolution before a full trial of the lawsuit. Melody Chappell, one of the district's two attorneys, began Thursday by challenging witness Jack Lawrence, a South Park area resident and attorney, on the actual number of petitions signed by South Park area residents.


Comments:

BISD Disaster wrote:
There is a simple solution. Since BISD considers the South Park High School building worthless, sign it over to Beaumont Heritage Society for one dollar. The Society would be responsible for the renovation of the building back to the way it looked in the 1920s and leasing to businesses. BISD can use the money that was not use to buy land for a new Regina-Howell to buy land for a new South Park Middle School. As I recall, the amount was about $30 million. BISD would also save on demolition costs as well. BISD has a new school and South Park is not torn down.
07/30/2009 06:15 PM CDT

bigmomma wrote:
This whole mess would not have happened if the superintendent and school board had not promised the voters in the bond issue that South Park would stand. As far as this turning in to a " I hate Carroll Thomas" campaign...too late. He has been a horrible representative from the start. The school board are nothing but a bunch of "yes men" to Thomas. I don't think keeping your kids home from school is the answer. Good luck greenies...keep fighting!
07/30/2009 04:38 PM CDT

bowd wrote:
I think that this whole ordeal is an attack on Thomas. When the real people that he takes his orders from is the school board and they are elected by the community. You people are using him a scapegoat to cover up your lack of support and effiort in making sure that Beaumont progresses. No one seems to be complaining about the other schools that are set be demolished this year..just this one building. Its easy for you to say keep your kids home because your kids are probably grown and dont attend school..let alone let them attend South Park.
07/30/2009 03:50 PM CDT

Interested Bystander wrote:
What many people are forgetting is the education of students. Stay home and don't go to school is an asinine idea. That is punishing the students. Aren't they supposed to be taught? Yea, I know ... were teaching them history. How many of you have been in a classroom lately? Unfortunately this whole debacle has turned into a I"I hate Carrol Thomas" campaign. Do I personally like him?? No. Do I think we need to move forward and do what is best for our kids? Yes. Everyone -itches about the school board but no one stepped up and voted the incumbents out. It was a horrific turnout. It seems Beaumont was satisfied with the status quo. I'll be glad when this is all over! Oh, wait, I forgot. This is Beaumont - the little town that keeps fighting!
07/30/2009 03:27 PM CDT

GALATIONS 4:16 wrote:
So lets just roll over and let the Train continue sig220? Yes keep your kids home. If enough protest you can kill this snake!!!
07/30/2009 02:03 PM CDT

GREENIE 1969 wrote:
Thanks Sig220 that need ed to be said. Like you if Brassard and Trahan have been voted out things would be different. GREENIE FIGHT NEVER DIES
07/30/2009 02:02 PM CDT

sig220 wrote:
Keep their kids home a few weeks?!!! Careful, if it is unexcused you will be filed on in court. If it is excused, the kids may not be promoted due to the 90% TEA rule. I have said it before, elections have consequences. The voters could have voted out Brassard and Trahan. We have the government we deserve.
07/30/2009 01:33 PM CDT

bowd wrote:
If you people are so concerened about the quality if education that the children get that attend South Park, then you would understand that the school is a health hazard to those kids. The building is full of mold and asbestos, how can you expect those kids to breath in that type of air quality. Everyone gets online and they talk about the school and attack BISD for wanting to tear it down but no one has gone inside the school to see what is really going. People look at the "outside" and see that it is still standing. Im sure that we have all heard the phrase "dont judge a book by its cover"!
07/30/2009 12:49 PM CDT

shark wrote:
Carrol, Carrol, Carrol how in the world do you keep your job?? Oh wait thats right the School board in which the people of Beaumont elect are in you back pocket. But times are changing my friend new members that are not yes men to you are getting elected (aka Neild) your days are numbered Mr Thomas..... I hope you enjoyed the lucrative run you had. Now go mess up someone elses school district and budget......
07/30/2009 12:24 PM CDT

GALATIONS 4:16 wrote:
Did Paul Brown really want to tear SP down? Talk about a little black man with a chip on his shoulder. Meanwhile a fortune is spent on the former Hebert Building(a dump for years). Yes we have race issues in this city. It is time for the man who pays the fiddler to call the tune. The Beaumont Chamber and all of the business in this city need to drop the hammer on Carroll Thomas. The parents also need to keep their kids home for a few weeks to strangle the district.
07/30/2009 12:01 PM CDT

HillebrandtHoney wrote:
Amazing how Dr. Thomas conveniently forgets the promises made to the citizen's of Beaumont. We could save some money by getting rid of him and his bloated salary. Why is BISD so adament about tearing down that building? Isn't the goal to provide quality education for the kids of the area? Does a new school building that won't last 30 years going to provide more quality education than one that has withstood the test of time? Isn't it great teachers with supportive parents in the neighborhood what it takes to provide quality education? Shouldn't we be more worried aobut the test scores and the graduation dates rather than which building we use? Obviously many people in Beaumont want to keep the structure. BISD would make great amends to the community by working with these people to rebuild/improve the old structure and focus on the education and not the bricks/mortar.
07/30/2009 07:56 AM CDT