Historic Preservation

Updates on Historic Preservation at Bolton High School

October 16, 2023

During the District 62 Bond Committee meeting on September 19, Alliance Design Group presented three options for addressing concerns Bolton’s windows:

  • Scrape and repaint the 97-year-old windows, and accept doing it again every few years. Current cost of $150,000, with no energy efficiency savings and no improved life safety;
  • Repair and refurbish, making more of the windows operable and installing removable interior storm windows. Increased occupant life safety. Still have to paint for regular maintenance. Current cost of $500,000, with energy savings of about $25,000 annually;
  • Replace, no immediate future maintenance costs, but forfeit historic registry status and any tax credits likely under other two options. Increased life safety. Current cost of $1,000,000, with future energy savings of about $50,000.

Superintendent Jeff Powell, along with several board members, expressed support for the second option as the most cost effective solution that maintains the architectural integrity of the building. Dr. Stephen Chapman, board president, stated that the historic significance of the whole building, and not just the windows, should be taken into consideration when making decisions about renovations.

During the regular School Board meeting on October 3, the board passed a motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Bolton High Renovations” (Bid No. 62-24-08) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive bids, a recommendation to be made to the Board; and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith.

During the meeting, it was established that bids were to reflect “option two” for the windows, which includes repairing and refurbishing select windows, and installing interior storm windows that are designed for historic buildings. The rest of the renovations approved to go out for bid include those projects listed as “phase one” of renovations by Alliance Design Group. All renovation work must be approved by the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office to be eligible for tax credits. 

September 18, 2023
Over the past few weeks, the Architectural Preservation Committee of the Bolton Alumni Association has been meeting with members of the school board, the superintendent, and the renovation project team at Bolton. They have given their full attention to hearing the concerns expressed by the Bolton community. Alliance Design Group, the architects leading the renovation projects, walked through the school with members of the Architectural Preservation Committee as well as representatives from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) in Natchitoches and the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation. Based on the discussions during the walk-through, Alliance Design Group is preparing several options to present to the RPSB during the District 62 Committee Meeting on September 19, 2023. We believe that these options, as they relate to the windows, will represent a measured, needs-based approach that balances the needs of modern school infrastructure with the preservation of the historic structure of the building. Letters of support for this approach from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans can be found below.

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

LTHP Letter
National Trust Letter
PRCNO Letter

CSRS PROJECT UPDATE REPORTS SEPTEMBER 2023

CSRS Update
CSRS Update (Rev)

Online Petition:

1,448 total signatures

In August 2023, the Historic Preservation Committee of the Bolton Alumni Association started a petition to relay the following information to the Rapides Parish School Board:

  • Bolton’s architectural integrity matters to you and to the broader community.
  • Improvements to Bolton should be conducted with the input of preservation professionals.
  • Taxpayer-funded improvements to historic structures require prudence and transparency.

What's going on?

Bolton is slated for renovations related to the District 62 bond and the Bolton Magnet School creation, including replacement of all original windows.

Window replacement, and perhaps other upcoming changes, will place Bolton’s architectural character at risk. This may endanger its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, preclude tax credit opportunities, and harm a structure of substantial architectural importance.

We believe that modern, functional school infrastructure that serves students’ needs can be achieved in harmony with the preservation of our historic structures.

We are asking the RPSB to provide further information about its design and construction process for Bolton and to consider the input of experienced preservation professionals. Read our letter to the Superintendent and Board to learn more.

Bolton High School Facts

Constructed in 1926

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984

Classical Revival style, described as “the most urbane and sophisticated early-twentieth century building” in Rapides Parish

Steven L Ellers
  • |
  • Kerrville,
  • Texas
  • Bolton Alumnus
Loulie Marler Middleton
  • |
  • Otis,
  • Louisiana
  • Bolton Alumnus
Mary Bordelon
  • |
  • Alexandria ,
  • Louisiana
  • Bolton Alumnus, Bolton Parent, Local Community Member
Theresa Elliott
  • |
  • Keithville ,
  • Louisiana
  • Bolton Alumnus
Alfreda Jones
  • |
  • Bowie,
  • Maryland
  • Bolton Alumnus
Toni Love
  • |
  • Alexandia,
  • Louisiana
  • Bolton Parent, Historic Preservation Advocate, Local Community Member
Laurie Haskins
  • |
  • BROKEN ARROW,
  • Oklahoma
  • Bolton Alumnus
Markay Stroud
  • |
  • Spring,
  • Texas
  • Historic Preservation Advocate
Brook Tesler
  • |
  • New Orleans ,
  • Louisiana
  • Historic Preservation Advocate
Jackson Galloway
  • |
  • New Orleans,
  • Louisiana
  • Bolton Alumnus, Historic Preservation Advocate
GENE J. HYMEL
  • |
  • NEW ORLEANS,
  • Louisiana
  • Historic Preservation Advocate
Lynn Spears
  • |
  • Alexandria,
  • Louisiana
  • District 62 Resident, Historic Preservation Advocate, Local Community Member
Anita Howe
  • |
  • Dallas ,
  • Texas
  • Bolton Alumnus
Fifi Laughlin
  • |
  • New Orleans,
  • Louisiana
  • Historic Preservation Advocate
Emily Castille-Hall
  • |
  • Peachtree City,
  • Georgia
  • Bolton Alumnus, Historic Preservation Advocate
John Wettermark
  • |
  • New Orleans,
  • Louisiana
  • Historic Preservation Advocate, Local Community Member