Pine to get new football stadium

By Brandon Wright
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 2:07 PM CST


Pine High School will soon be a step closer to getting a new football stadium on the new campus, Pine principal and athletic director Geary McKenzie said.

Bids are due March 3 for construction of the bleachers at the pre-existing field, which has been in place since the school was opened in the 2006-07 academic year.

“The dirt work was done when the school was built but there was no money appropriated for us to have anything but the field,” McKenzie said.

Advertisement
He said the field has since been equipped with a sprinkler system.

After the bidding, McKenzie said he would have a much better understanding of the cost of the project.

The school board has approved to loan Pine $500,000 for the project, but McKenzie said he didn’t anticipate that being enough to cover the entire cost.

“I don’t feel like we’ll be able to complete the project, but maybe we can be able to get some more money somewhere,” he said. “I’m just waiting to see what the bleachers cost.”

A lot hinges on the cost of the bleachers, McKenzie said.

“If it comes in low for us, we’ll have enough money. If it comes in high, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said. “It might be the fencing that we have to come up with the money for, I don’t really know.”

McKenzie said he will meet with potential bidders at a pre-bid conference on Tuesday, and he hopes the project will have “four or five” bidders.

While the bleachers will be the most expensive construction, bids will also be accepted for a field house and a concessions stand and bathroom area at a later date.

“If we don’t build a field house, we won’t have anywhere to dress,” McKenzie said.

If all goes well, he said, the new stadium should be open in time for the Raiders to play the first game of the 2010 season in their new home.

Football is not the only sport at Pine that is seeing facility improvements. The Pine baseball stadium will have its official opening this season as well, though the Raiders played there last season.

Copyright © 2010 Daily News

Comments

    Reader Comments

    The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of downtownnews.com.

    Hitman wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:49 PM:

    " $500,000. Let think about this for a minute. Before this past season pine hadn't had a football victory since mid season of 2006 & only two after the 2009 season. Thats $250,000 a win. With an average of thirty fans in the stands each Friday that's $16,000+ per fan. With a $6,800,000 new school plus the $50,000 borrowed from the Franklinton school district for the baseball field (That not a dime has been paid back) This is starting to add up when you look at a community that has a $500,000 a year tax base. The new school was voted on along with Franklinton's new football field (New school wouldn't be there if it weren't for Franklinton's new field, so raiders hug a Demon next time you see one) but this new football field wasn't. If the Washington parish school board has a half a million dollars laying around to lend, why did we just vote to renew a school tax? I personally will vote against any school tax renewed or new from now on & will push others to do the same. Some will say that by building a new stadium will help the raiders to win. Let me say that new brinks & grass will not replace the fact the team, coaches, other teaching staff, janitors & who ever else is up there have no heart, no class & no pride. Thats what make a winner. All the loaned out money in the world will not change this fact. "

    Jim Richardson wrote on Feb 4, 2010 1:53 PM:

    " I am very happy for Geary McKenzie and the Raiders. It is obvious that some people have an NFL mentality and they are attempting to spin it on the Washington Parish School System. Congrats to the system for recognizing the needs across the parish and not just in a metropolitan area. I did not hear anyone say we needed heart when were beating everyone and dominating the parish in basketball for over a decade, using an old gym and having to put buckets out when it rained. We never complained because unlike some people we have class and we have always tried to show it. Thanks to the Washington Parish School System for working to improve the lives of all children in Washington Parish. "

    No a Raider Fan wrote on Feb 4, 2010 2:31 PM:

    " Truer words were never spoken Hitman. I agree wholeheartedly. WPSB needs to stop playing fast and loose with tax payer dollars. Try buying text books or lockers. A new "stadium" will improve Raider stats about as much as glasses would help a person with no eyes! "

    GERALD wrote on Feb 4, 2010 7:53 PM:

    " i WENT TO PINE SCHOOL IN THE 70'S AND PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR THEM AND THEN WALKED OFF THE FIELD MID SEASON BECAUSE THE PLAYERS DID NOT GIVE A CRAP IF THEY WON OR LOST. i SEEN THROUGH THE 80'S 90'S AND NOW 2000'S . PINE STILL DON'T GIVE A CRAP. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOSER'S AND WILL STILL BE FOR YEARS TO COME . AND I AM SICK AND TIRED OF WORKING AND PAYING TAXES FOR THAT LOSER OF A SCHOOL. AND I LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY . PINE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!! "

    Pine Resident wrote on Feb 5, 2010 1:14 PM:

    " The WPSB should have used that money to hire teachers that give a crap about the education of their students.

    Thank God we pulled our kids out of there before it was too late. "

    Cousin Dave revised wrote on Feb 5, 2010 4:43 PM:

    " A huge history of Pine is and should still be the Rebels! Growing up there with family as rebels is a big part of who I am today. Just because the klan torched a few crosses, held a few rallies and the school was segregated way back, is no reason why we shouldn't get back to our roots. Not the violence, But the Pride...Rebel Pride.
    Pine without the Rebels is like, New Orleans without the Saints! Listen to me. Almost EVERYONE that I know who lives in Washington Parish, Loves the Lord ok? BUT! Why in such a bible based Christian area, do we allow the DEMONS to exist? Hasn't the forces of Evil spawned more harm, death and destruction than any Klan member? I say let's Keep God in our lives, re-name the Demons, and re-instate the Rebels. Amen. "

    Just Me wrote on Feb 5, 2010 8:23 PM:

    " No matter the school or the mascot name we all live in this parish and are all entitled to the tax dollars that we pay. People who live here need to wake up and realize that a team mascot name doesn't mean anything, it's just a name, it doesn't define who you are. The mentality of the people of our parish will be what kills it. "

    Hitman wrote on Feb 5, 2010 9:13 PM:

    " Im not on here talking about basketball & buckets to catch water or the Bible or if the Lord likes the Demons or the pride of a rebel or the lack there of or what is or isn't being built in a "metropolitan" area. Dave you don't allow the Demons to have that name or any other school's mascot. Its not up to you. The only evil spawned is your blatant ignorance. These are things one talks about when they haven't the answers to the real topics. The bottom line is there are people around this nation, this state & yes our own parish being laid off of work. State workers being laid off. This half a million is state funds paid by the tax payers. Mr. Kennedy where is Varnado's new football stadium? Pine plays Varnado, when was the last time you set in those visitor stands that are falling down? Mt. Herman is building a football program & the kids there are excited about this, but they have NO bleachers for their parents to sit in to watch them play. Where are you @ on that one? Wheres you post on these facts? Pine haters always talk down about Franklinton saying they only care about them selves but you want to come on here & talk about the "lives of all children in Washington Parish", when the truth is as long as your own back yard is improved its a blessing for all. Please! Im calling on Darrell Fairburn to come on here & explain where the money for this project is coming from, how long pine has to pay the money back & what led him to approve this loan. All I'll probably get is some hack pretending to be Fairburn. We'll see. "

    J wrote on Feb 6, 2010 8:52 AM:

    " Cousin Dave, I played football at Pine and graduated as a Raider. Please don't try and conceal your "racist" comment by wrapping it in your so called pride for my school. I'm a proud Raider and we will get better. Good luck with the new stadium. And for you Hitman, read Mr. Richardson's comment; I agree with him 100%. Go Raiders!! "

    Pine Parent wrote on Feb 6, 2010 10:30 AM:

    " Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however, before voicing your opinion did you consider the impact that it would have on the students and athelets. The majority of those that are involved in atheletics at Pine do give their all. No, a new stadium will not change the ability of the coaches or players but will give them something to be proud of. "

    Pine student wrote on Feb 7, 2010 10:53 PM:

    " Ok, I agree with hitman as well, im a student at Pine and know first hand about how things are. ... The school board should do some investigating before throwing out more money to a lost cause. The students have no spirit because the teachers drag everything out of them. They are more worried about shirts being tucked in than students academics... We have nothing to be proud of. Maybe when the teachers and principals start respecting the students ... we would actually want to do better and have some pride. ... We have all old text books, old computers, a parkin lot that is so messed up people get stuck when it rains (which by the way has been supposed to be paved since the school opened) Where is the twenty dollars per student going?? Cause we certainly haven't seen it! EDITOR'S NOTE: PINE STUDENT, I HAD TO HEAVILY EDIT YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE LIBELOUS. PLEASE READ AND RESPECT THE RULES OF THIS FORUM. ... JACOB BROOKS, MANAGING EDITOR. "

    pine student wrote on Feb 8, 2010 9:28 AM:

    " i think that our school can have a much better football team but the problem is no one gives us support. so seriously shut up if ur guna bad mouth us alright this is a pretty great school i dnt love it but hey i wouldnt leave to go anywhere else if i could choose. we are always havin a blast out here in the country so BOO--YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

    Demon Fan wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:18 AM:

    " I totally agree with Hitman. Its time for someone to stand up and ask where has all of this money gone. I truly support the Raiders; however, the leaders of the school are running it into the ground. If a team is not winning and producing a income surplus there is no reason to put the community in further debt. If someone really cared about that football program it could be we a winning program. The leadership is the problem. "

    Jim Richardson wrote on Feb 8, 2010 3:52 PM:

    " I really need to clarify where I am coming from. My intention in addressing the issue of a new stadium was to offset the idea that in public education there should be some kind of tie between providing for students and the students in turn making money through their success or loosing money through their failure on the athletic field. I am proud of the WPSB for making wise use of money across the parish in building new schools and athlectic facilities in metropolitan and rural areas. The Washington Parish School System has upgraded across the parish from Franklinton to Mt Hermon to Varnado and back to Thomas and Pine. It cost a lot of money to upgrade. That is where the money has gone and is going. Go out into all of those communities and you will see the upgrade in facilities. All of the schools in Washington Parish have been improving their School Performance Scores and the parish is moving up in their district performance. You have a great leader in Darrell Fairburn and I am proud to tell people state-wide that I am from Washington Parish and received my basic training there as a student. "

    Cousin Dave wrote on Feb 8, 2010 4:07 PM:

    " Mr. Hitman you are right on the money with what's the real problem here. I'm with ya on that 100%. As far as my comments, I was just saying. I don't live there anymore nor am I welcomed by "family" who do live there. I am no means a racist, just a no good S.O.B. Best of luck to the rest! "

    Pine Person wrote on Feb 8, 2010 5:31 PM:

    " .... Uhh Pine may not bein winnin alot but wake up and look at The Saints baby.. lost alot and now look won the SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!! Hello wake up and realize pine could do that toooooo if we had what we need.. And yea id like to know where all the money is going to also. And pine student who says pine has old computers hello you have two labs filled with 3 to 4 year old computers and those new apple desk tops.. dnt put lies on here ive seen whats at that school. "

    Still not a fan wrote on Feb 9, 2010 12:59 AM:

    " Football is a great southern, make that American, tradition. I think that money could be much better spent on academic endeavors, just look at the grammatical and spelling errors of pine student. I don't think we should take everything away from these kids, just get back to the basics. Raise the standards 2.0 is too low. Kids are too wrapped up in too much "stuff" to learn. Teachers are too busy to teach. Building a football stadium or not is not going to change that. Do what ever you want in that regard and let's move on to issues of some importance. "

    gator wrote on Feb 9, 2010 11:38 AM:

    " Why six high schools (including Bowling Green) in a parish of say 45,000 with a per capita income of around $13,000, median per household income of around $25,000? Certainly some of you must have been around long enough to know that Franklinton gets nothing unless Mt. Hermon, Pine and Varnado agree; likewise, Pine and Varnado get nothing without the approval of Franklinton and Mt. Hermon. Bogalusa just stays the heck out of that game and suffers for it.
    Twenty years or so ago some of your more intelligent leadership mentioned creating one centralized high school for the entire parish, a school large enough to really offer more to students, but, being centralized, more economical to operate than several small schools. The reaction to this mere suggestion was so overwhelmingly negative, the idea never came up again. So continue to divide the pie five (or six) ways so that everyone gets a ragged little piece. "

    Watcher wrote on Feb 10, 2010 7:17 AM:

    " Y'all sound like a bunch of whinny a__ crybabies. Take your personal grudges elsewhere. "

    Hitman wrote on Feb 10, 2010 4:00 PM:

    " Now there wanting to close Varnado Elementary. Darrell Fairburn said "consolidating Varnado Elementary and Wesley Ray Elementary — which is in Angie — would “allow faculty and staff from both schools to combine efforts and resources to provide a more diverse education for the students of the two communities.” They go to a 100 year old school. Wheres their $500,000? But wait, Mr Kennedy said, "The Washington Parish School System has upgraded across the parish from Franklinton to Mt Hermon to Varnado and back to Thomas and Pine. It cost a lot of money to upgrade. That is where the money has gone and is going. Go out into all of those communities and you will see the upgrade in facilities." All of the communities he says! Is it really? I have the answer but what say you? But the raiders cant win a football game in a 100 year old stadium because its 100 years old. What are our real priorities here? "

    Cholly wrote on Feb 10, 2010 4:52 PM:

    " Washington Parish does not need to have "one big school". The parish school system is far more advanced than Bogalusa. If I remember correctly, the idea was squashed because the parish did not want the Bogalusa debt. "

    Cholly wrote on Feb 10, 2010 4:55 PM:

    " and besides...what difference does it make it the bleachers are not full ? When is the last season that Bogalusa had a large crowd ? Franklinton was packed every game this year. The parish is only wanting to have it's schools with able facilites like other school system. "

    Lyndsey Terrell wrote on Feb 11, 2010 8:00 AM:

    " The $500,000 that is going to Pine (who has brand new buildings) would make a great improvement at Varnado Elementary wouldn't it. Just think of the possibilities that a half a million dollars could do. Instead of going to build a stadium that will be used about a dozen times a year. (5 high school games, 4 junior high games and 3 association games) "

    My thoughts wrote on Feb 11, 2010 3:09 PM:

    " I believe there should be two schools. One on each side of the parish. West side and East side. Draw a line down the middle and go from there. "

    former Raider wrote on Feb 12, 2010 12:45 AM:

    " 1st of all, let me say this, all of you haters, back off!!!! This is just a case of lets hate pine! You wanna know why there is hate between franklinton and pine? It is because of this bs. Pine needs a new stadium!!!!!!!!!! Franklinton got thiers and no one over here complained! Franklinton gets everything before Pine does, or Varnado! I know that there is a bad attitude at pine, i went there and yes alot of the kids do not care about anything but going hunting or partying on the weekends, but if you build them a stadium and rebuild the program, things can change! as far as tax money, maybe i didn't want franklinton to get a new staduim? how about that? ur old one was good? this is stupid! There is corruption at pine and i wish the school board would look into it, but demon haters back off, you got ya'lls we want ours! "

    CONCERNED wrote on Feb 12, 2010 12:51 AM:

    " Tisk Tisk Tisk, Pine Athletics is still suffering from lack of community support, school support, and school board funding! How can you sit there with almost 300-500 kids and not have a descent team in all sports? And where is the new stadium that was promised? where did the money go? Someone needs to investigate PHS officials and see where is the money is going? I'm tired of our kids suffering from politics as usual! we need some change! " "

    Hitman wrote on Feb 13, 2010 7:38 PM:

    " former Raider Franklinton got a new stadium because it was voted on by the parish in an election, it wasn't up to you. This was the same election that pine got a new school. Three previous elections that had pine on the ballot getting a new school were voted down. Like I said in my first post, the ONLY reason pine has a new school today is the fact Franklinton's new stadium was on the ballot. With out the Franklinton vote pine kids would still be attending the o'l dairy barn. Pine a new football stadium was NOT on the ballot when their new school passed. It has been rumored that it was but I assure you it wasn't. A new school only. The reason people like you that think Franklinton gets every thing first is incorrect. However, the amount of funds given to a school is based on school enrollment. With more students just in 9-12 attending Franklinton than pine & thomas combined is the reason Franklinton receives more money. To think Franklinton gets funds for any other reason is one thing that makes pine pine. CONCERNED who was it exactly that promised pine a new stadium? The funds for such a stadium were not given to pine. I'd like someone from the school board to explain why this half a million doesn't have to be voted on. But pine people if this falls through you could always look to hamburger helper for the money... Wait, that didn't work out so well did it. "

    Submit a Comment

    We encourage your feedback and dialogue. All comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
    (optional)
       

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Daily News is not liable for messages from third parties.



DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in gobogalusa.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Daily News. The Daily News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Daily News spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of downtownnews.com.

Hitman wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:49 PM:

" $500,000. Let think about this for a minute. Before this past season pine hadn't had a football victory since mid season of 2006 & only two after the 2009 season. Thats $250,000 a win. With an average of thirty fans in the stands each Friday that's $16,000+ per fan. With a $6,800,000 new school plus the $50,000 borrowed from the Franklinton school district for the baseball field (That not a dime has been paid back) This is starting to add up when you look at a community that has a $500,000 a year tax base. The new school was voted on along with Franklinton's new football field (New school wouldn't be there if it weren't for Franklinton's new field, so raiders hug a Demon next time you see one) but this new football field wasn't. If the Washington parish school board has a half a million dollars laying around to lend, why did we just vote to renew a school tax? I personally will vote against any school tax renewed or new from now on & will push others to do the same. Some will say that by building a new stadium will help the raiders to win. Let me say that new brinks & grass will not replace the fact the team, coaches, other teaching staff, janitors & who ever else is up there have no heart, no class & no pride. Thats what make a winner. All the loaned out money in the world will not change this fact. "

Jim Richardson wrote on Feb 4, 2010 1:53 PM:

" I am very happy for Geary McKenzie and the Raiders. It is obvious that some people have an NFL mentality and they are attempting to spin it on the Washington Parish School System. Congrats to the system for recognizing the needs across the parish and not just in a metropolitan area. I did not hear anyone say we needed heart when were beating everyone and dominating the parish in basketball for over a decade, using an old gym and having to put buckets out when it rained. We never complained because unlike some people we have class and we have always tried to show it. Thanks to the Washington Parish School System for working to improve the lives of all children in Washington Parish. "

No a Raider Fan wrote on Feb 4, 2010 2:31 PM:

" Truer words were never spoken Hitman. I agree wholeheartedly. WPSB needs to stop playing fast and loose with tax payer dollars. Try buying text books or lockers. A new "stadium" will improve Raider stats about as much as glasses would help a person with no eyes! "

GERALD wrote on Feb 4, 2010 7:53 PM:

" i WENT TO PINE SCHOOL IN THE 70'S AND PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR THEM AND THEN WALKED OFF THE FIELD MID SEASON BECAUSE THE PLAYERS DID NOT GIVE A CRAP IF THEY WON OR LOST. i SEEN THROUGH THE 80'S 90'S AND NOW 2000'S . PINE STILL DON'T GIVE A CRAP. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOSER'S AND WILL STILL BE FOR YEARS TO COME . AND I AM SICK AND TIRED OF WORKING AND PAYING TAXES FOR THAT LOSER OF A SCHOOL. AND I LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY . PINE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!! "

Pine Resident wrote on Feb 5, 2010 1:14 PM:

" The WPSB should have used that money to hire teachers that give a crap about the education of their students.

Thank God we pulled our kids out of there before it was too late. "

Cousin Dave revised wrote on Feb 5, 2010 4:43 PM:

" A huge history of Pine is and should still be the Rebels! Growing up there with family as rebels is a big part of who I am today. Just because the klan torched a few crosses, held a few rallies and the school was segregated way back, is no reason why we shouldn't get back to our roots. Not the violence, But the Pride...Rebel Pride.
Pine without the Rebels is like, New Orleans without the Saints! Listen to me. Almost EVERYONE that I know who lives in Washington Parish, Loves the Lord ok? BUT! Why in such a bible based Christian area, do we allow the DEMONS to exist? Hasn't the forces of Evil spawned more harm, death and destruction than any Klan member? I say let's Keep God in our lives, re-name the Demons, and re-instate the Rebels. Amen. "

Just Me wrote on Feb 5, 2010 8:23 PM:

" No matter the school or the mascot name we all live in this parish and are all entitled to the tax dollars that we pay. People who live here need to wake up and realize that a team mascot name doesn't mean anything, it's just a name, it doesn't define who you are. The mentality of the people of our parish will be what kills it. "

Hitman wrote on Feb 5, 2010 9:13 PM:

" Im not on here talking about basketball & buckets to catch water or the Bible or if the Lord likes the Demons or the pride of a rebel or the lack there of or what is or isn't being built in a "metropolitan" area. Dave you don't allow the Demons to have that name or any other school's mascot. Its not up to you. The only evil spawned is your blatant ignorance. These are things one talks about when they haven't the answers to the real topics. The bottom line is there are people around this nation, this state & yes our own parish being laid off of work. State workers being laid off. This half a million is state funds paid by the tax payers. Mr. Kennedy where is Varnado's new football stadium? Pine plays Varnado, when was the last time you set in those visitor stands that are falling down? Mt. Herman is building a football program & the kids there are excited about this, but they have NO bleachers for their parents to sit in to watch them play. Where are you @ on that one? Wheres you post on these facts? Pine haters always talk down about Franklinton saying they only care about them selves but you want to come on here & talk about the "lives of all children in Washington Parish", when the truth is as long as your own back yard is improved its a blessing for all. Please! Im calling on Darrell Fairburn to come on here & explain where the money for this project is coming from, how long pine has to pay the money back & what led him to approve this loan. All I'll probably get is some hack pretending to be Fairburn. We'll see. "

J wrote on Feb 6, 2010 8:52 AM:

" Cousin Dave, I played football at Pine and graduated as a Raider. Please don't try and conceal your "racist" comment by wrapping it in your so called pride for my school. I'm a proud Raider and we will get better. Good luck with the new stadium. And for you Hitman, read Mr. Richardson's comment; I agree with him 100%. Go Raiders!! "

Pine Parent wrote on Feb 6, 2010 10:30 AM:

" Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however, before voicing your opinion did you consider the impact that it would have on the students and athelets. The majority of those that are involved in atheletics at Pine do give their all. No, a new stadium will not change the ability of the coaches or players but will give them something to be proud of. "

Pine student wrote on Feb 7, 2010 10:53 PM:

" Ok, I agree with hitman as well, im a student at Pine and know first hand about how things are. ... The school board should do some investigating before throwing out more money to a lost cause. The students have no spirit because the teachers drag everything out of them. They are more worried about shirts being tucked in than students academics... We have nothing to be proud of. Maybe when the teachers and principals start respecting the students ... we would actually want to do better and have some pride. ... We have all old text books, old computers, a parkin lot that is so messed up people get stuck when it rains (which by the way has been supposed to be paved since the school opened) Where is the twenty dollars per student going?? Cause we certainly haven't seen it! EDITOR'S NOTE: PINE STUDENT, I HAD TO HEAVILY EDIT YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE LIBELOUS. PLEASE READ AND RESPECT THE RULES OF THIS FORUM. ... JACOB BROOKS, MANAGING EDITOR. "

pine student wrote on Feb 8, 2010 9:28 AM:

" i think that our school can have a much better football team but the problem is no one gives us support. so seriously shut up if ur guna bad mouth us alright this is a pretty great school i dnt love it but hey i wouldnt leave to go anywhere else if i could choose. we are always havin a blast out here in the country so BOO--YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Demon Fan wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:18 AM:

" I totally agree with Hitman. Its time for someone to stand up and ask where has all of this money gone. I truly support the Raiders; however, the leaders of the school are running it into the ground. If a team is not winning and producing a income surplus there is no reason to put the community in further debt. If someone really cared about that football program it could be we a winning program. The leadership is the problem. "

Jim Richardson wrote on Feb 8, 2010 3:52 PM:

" I really need to clarify where I am coming from. My intention in addressing the issue of a new stadium was to offset the idea that in public education there should be some kind of tie between providing for students and the students in turn making money through their success or loosing money through their failure on the athletic field. I am proud of the WPSB for making wise use of money across the parish in building new schools and athlectic facilities in metropolitan and rural areas. The Washington Parish School System has upgraded across the parish from Franklinton to Mt Hermon to Varnado and back to Thomas and Pine. It cost a lot of money to upgrade. That is where the money has gone and is going. Go out into all of those communities and you will see the upgrade in facilities. All of the schools in Washington Parish have been improving their School Performance Scores and the parish is moving up in their district performance. You have a great leader in Darrell Fairburn and I am proud to tell people state-wide that I am from Washington Parish and received my basic training there as a student. "

Cousin Dave wrote on Feb 8, 2010 4:07 PM:

" Mr. Hitman you are right on the money with what's the real problem here. I'm with ya on that 100%. As far as my comments, I was just saying. I don't live there anymore nor am I welcomed by "family" who do live there. I am no means a racist, just a no good S.O.B. Best of luck to the rest! "

Pine Person wrote on Feb 8, 2010 5:31 PM:

" .... Uhh Pine may not bein winnin alot but wake up and look at The Saints baby.. lost alot and now look won the SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!! Hello wake up and realize pine could do that toooooo if we had what we need.. And yea id like to know where all the money is going to also. And pine student who says pine has old computers hello you have two labs filled with 3 to 4 year old computers and those new apple desk tops.. dnt put lies on here ive seen whats at that school. "

Still not a fan wrote on Feb 9, 2010 12:59 AM:

" Football is a great southern, make that American, tradition. I think that money could be much better spent on academic endeavors, just look at the grammatical and spelling errors of pine student. I don't think we should take everything away from these kids, just get back to the basics. Raise the standards 2.0 is too low. Kids are too wrapped up in too much "stuff" to learn. Teachers are too busy to teach. Building a football stadium or not is not going to change that. Do what ever you want in that regard and let's move on to issues of some importance. "

gator wrote on Feb 9, 2010 11:38 AM:

" Why six high schools (including Bowling Green) in a parish of say 45,000 with a per capita income of around $13,000, median per household income of around $25,000? Certainly some of you must have been around long enough to know that Franklinton gets nothing unless Mt. Hermon, Pine and Varnado agree; likewise, Pine and Varnado get nothing without the approval of Franklinton and Mt. Hermon. Bogalusa just stays the heck out of that game and suffers for it.
Twenty years or so ago some of your more intelligent leadership mentioned creating one centralized high school for the entire parish, a school large enough to really offer more to students, but, being centralized, more economical to operate than several small schools. The reaction to this mere suggestion was so overwhelmingly negative, the idea never came up again. So continue to divide the pie five (or six) ways so that everyone gets a ragged little piece. "

Watcher wrote on Feb 10, 2010 7:17 AM:

" Y'all sound like a bunch of whinny a__ crybabies. Take your personal grudges elsewhere. "

Hitman wrote on Feb 10, 2010 4:00 PM:

" Now there wanting to close Varnado Elementary. Darrell Fairburn said "consolidating Varnado Elementary and Wesley Ray Elementary — which is in Angie — would “allow faculty and staff from both schools to combine efforts and resources to provide a more diverse education for the students of the two communities.” They go to a 100 year old school. Wheres their $500,000? But wait, Mr Kennedy said, "The Washington Parish School System has upgraded across the parish from Franklinton to Mt Hermon to Varnado and back to Thomas and Pine. It cost a lot of money to upgrade. That is where the money has gone and is going. Go out into all of those communities and you will see the upgrade in facilities." All of the communities he says! Is it really? I have the answer but what say you? But the raiders cant win a football game in a 100 year old stadium because its 100 years old. What are our real priorities here? "

Cholly wrote on Feb 10, 2010 4:52 PM:

" Washington Parish does not need to have "one big school". The parish school system is far more advanced than Bogalusa. If I remember correctly, the idea was squashed because the parish did not want the Bogalusa debt. "

Cholly wrote on Feb 10, 2010 4:55 PM:

" and besides...what difference does it make it the bleachers are not full ? When is the last season that Bogalusa had a large crowd ? Franklinton was packed every game this year. The parish is only wanting to have it's schools with able facilites like other school system. "

Lyndsey Terrell wrote on Feb 11, 2010 8:00 AM:

" The $500,000 that is going to Pine (who has brand new buildings) would make a great improvement at Varnado Elementary wouldn't it. Just think of the possibilities that a half a million dollars could do. Instead of going to build a stadium that will be used about a dozen times a year. (5 high school games, 4 junior high games and 3 association games) "

My thoughts wrote on Feb 11, 2010 3:09 PM:

" I believe there should be two schools. One on each side of the parish. West side and East side. Draw a line down the middle and go from there. "

former Raider wrote on Feb 12, 2010 12:45 AM:

" 1st of all, let me say this, all of you haters, back off!!!! This is just a case of lets hate pine! You wanna know why there is hate between franklinton and pine? It is because of this bs. Pine needs a new stadium!!!!!!!!!! Franklinton got thiers and no one over here complained! Franklinton gets everything before Pine does, or Varnado! I know that there is a bad attitude at pine, i went there and yes alot of the kids do not care about anything but going hunting or partying on the weekends, but if you build them a stadium and rebuild the program, things can change! as far as tax money, maybe i didn't want franklinton to get a new staduim? how about that? ur old one was good? this is stupid! There is corruption at pine and i wish the school board would look into it, but demon haters back off, you got ya'lls we want ours! "

CONCERNED wrote on Feb 12, 2010 12:51 AM:

" Tisk Tisk Tisk, Pine Athletics is still suffering from lack of community support, school support, and school board funding! How can you sit there with almost 300-500 kids and not have a descent team in all sports? And where is the new stadium that was promised? where did the money go? Someone needs to investigate PHS officials and see where is the money is going? I'm tired of our kids suffering from politics as usual! we need some change! " "

Hitman wrote on Feb 13, 2010 7:38 PM:

" former Raider Franklinton got a new stadium because it was voted on by the parish in an election, it wasn't up to you. This was the same election that pine got a new school. Three previous elections that had pine on the ballot getting a new school were voted down. Like I said in my first post, the ONLY reason pine has a new school today is the fact Franklinton's new stadium was on the ballot. With out the Franklinton vote pine kids would still be attending the o'l dairy barn. Pine a new football stadium was NOT on the ballot when their new school passed. It has been rumored that it was but I assure you it wasn't. A new school only. The reason people like you that think Franklinton gets every thing first is incorrect. However, the amount of funds given to a school is based on school enrollment. With more students just in 9-12 attending Franklinton than pine & thomas combined is the reason Franklinton receives more money. To think Franklinton gets funds for any other reason is one thing that makes pine pine. CONCERNED who was it exactly that promised pine a new stadium? The funds for such a stadium were not given to pine. I'd like someone from the school board to explain why this half a million doesn't have to be voted on. But pine people if this falls through you could always look to hamburger helper for the money... Wait, that didn't work out so well did it. "

Submit a Comment

We encourage your feedback and dialogue. All comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
(optional)
   

Multimedia


Raw video: Cold weather in Bogalusa

Cold weather from an arctic blast continued to chill Washington Parish Friday, Jan. 8, with temperatures in the 20s. The night low was expected to be about 15 degrees. Schools were also closed on Friday.


Click here for all videos

Contact Us




Make Us Your Homepage

Advertisement