Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana - Voters in Calcasieu Parish School Board District 34 are scheduled to decide May 16, 2026, whether to approve a bond proposal tied to a long list of school construction and renovation projects in southwest Lake Charles.
According to the proposal details, the bond would affect multiple campuses and school-related facilities in District 34, with planned work ranging from new gymnasiums and classroom additions to air conditioning upgrades, parking improvements, and campus renovations.
The proposal covers schools that include Barbe Elementary, Barbe High, College Oaks Elementary, Dolby Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Positive Connections, Prien Lake Elementary, S.J. Welsh Middle, and St. John Elementary.
If approved by voters, the bond would fund projects intended to update school infrastructure and expand certain facilities. A bond is a form of borrowing used by public entities, such as school systems, to pay for large capital projects over time.
District 34 Bond Proposal Projects
At Barbe Elementary, the project list includes a new gymnasium with restrooms, restroom upgrades, air conditioning improvements, upgrades to the multipurpose room, and parking lot improvements.
At Barbe High, the proposal includes a new ninth grade campus and a new 1,000-seat performing arts center. Other listed work includes air conditioning improvements, turf field and track resurfacing, a new softball field and facilities with added parking, baseball and tennis improvements, a courtyard shade structure and hardscapes, and Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, and equipment upgrades across the campus.
At College Oaks Elementary, the proposal calls for a new gymnasium with restrooms, upgrades and renovations to the main building, cafeteria stage curtain and sound system improvements, and playground upgrades.
At Dolby Elementary, the listed work includes a new gymnasium with restrooms, a new car line drive with stacking and a canopy drop-off, added parking, a new restroom addition for fourth and fifth grade, upgrades and renovations to the main building, cafeteria building upgrades and acoustics improvements, and a relocated covered playcourt with playground development.
At Nelson Elementary, the proposal includes an eight-classroom addition, a new gymnasium with restrooms, updates and renovations to the classroom building, additional parking, and expanded playground equipment.
At Positive Connections, the project list includes renovations to the main building and parking lot repairs and renovations.
At Prien Lake Elementary, the proposal calls for a new gymnasium with restrooms, enclosure and air conditioning for a hallway, classroom and restroom renovations, a multipurpose room update, expanded playground equipment, a shade structure for the playground, and exterior building improvements.
At S.J. Welsh Middle, the proposed projects include a new music building for band and choir, classroom renovations in existing areas, main building upgrades, restroom and stair improvements, gym and physical education locker room renovations, cafeteria improvements, courtyard pavilion upgrades with fans, and field grandstand and lighting improvements.
At St. John Elementary, the proposal includes upgraded LED lighting, carpet replacement, HVAC upgrades in pod buildings, upgraded finishes in commons and corridors, replacement of the metal drop-off canopy roof, an expanded cafeteria serving line and seating, expanded parking, new fencing, and new playground equipment and surfacing.
What The Bond Vote Means For Calcasieu Parish District 34
The May 16, 2026, election gives District 34 voters a direct role in deciding whether these projects move forward.
Several campuses would receive new gymnasiums, while others would see classroom additions, improved traffic flow for student drop-off and pickup, renovated restrooms, playground updates, and campus accessibility improvements.
The proposal also includes major athletics and fine arts components, particularly at Barbe High and S.J. Welsh Middle. At Barbe High, the largest listed items include the new ninth grade campus and performing arts center. At S.J. Welsh Middle, the plan includes a dedicated music building and improvements to sports-related facilities.
At the elementary level, many of the proposed upgrades center on core building systems and student spaces. Those include HVAC improvements, restroom renovations, parking expansions, cafeteria upgrades, and playground enhancements. HVAC refers to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Schools Included In The District 34 Bond Proposal
The schools and facilities listed in the District 34 bond proposal are:
- Barbe Elementary
- Barbe High
- College Oaks Elementary
- Dolby Elementary
- Nelson Elementary
- Positive Connections
- Prien Lake Elementary
- S.J. Welsh Middle
- St. John Elementary
Southwest Lake Charles School Improvements On The Ballot
The proposal states the bond would directly affect schools in southwest Lake Charles and the surrounding community. The scope of work shows a mix of new construction and renovation, with projects designed to address student spaces, campus operations, and site improvements.
Among the most repeated categories across campuses are gymnasium construction, restroom work, parking improvements, classroom renovations, and playground upgrades. Those categories often reflect long-term facility needs in school bond packages, which are commonly used to address aging buildings and accommodate changing enrollment or program demands.
Voters in Calcasieu Parish School Board District 34 will make the final decision when ballots are cast on May 16, 2026.
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