Closure Decision Draws Strong Reaction from Families and Community Advocates
In a controversial decision, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has voted to close 5th Ward Elementary, a predominantly Black school near the Denka Performance Elastomer LLC facility, amid ongoing lawsuits and concerns over toxic air exposure. The school is set to shut down by the 2025-2026 school year, moving hundreds of students to other schools in the district.
Background on Environmental Concerns
The Denka plant, which produces neoprene, has been under scrutiny for years due to emissions of chloroprene, a likely carcinogen. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that the facility emits toxic levels of chloroprene, putting nearby communities, including 5th Ward Elementary, at increased risk of cancer. The EPA’s 2023 complaint against Denka identifies the area around the plant as having the highest estimated cancer risks in the nation.
In response, Denka has argued that it has “significantly reduced” its emissions and disputes the EPA’s assessments. However, its emissions remain significantly higher than federal guidelines.
Legal Battle and Racial Bias Allegations
In addition to environmental concerns, the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in June, urging the school board to close the school immediately to protect students from health risks. The lawsuit claims the board’s decision to keep the school open violates a longstanding desegregation order by exposing Black students to high pollution levels when alternative schools are available elsewhere in the district.
According to Legal Defense Fund attorney Victor Jones, the board has an “ongoing obligation to operate healthy and safe facilities for children,” and keeping the school open poses an unacceptable health risk. The plaintiffs’ attorneys have argued that the board’s plan to move students to East St. John Preparatory, less than a mile from the Denka facility, will continue to expose them to dangerous air.
School Board’s Decision and Next Steps
The board’s 7-to-4 vote officially cited low enrollment as the reason for the closure, with Board President Shawn Wallace indicating that financial factors were the primary concern. However, some board members, including Nia Mitchell-Williams, noted that the desegregation lawsuit likely influenced the decision, warning of federal intervention if action wasn’t taken.
As the district prepares to transition students to new schools, Superintendent Cleo Perry says the focus is on ensuring a smooth process. “It is heart-wrenching… so our goal right now is to work with our community to make the best transition possible,” Perry said, downplaying concerns about relocating students to another school near the plant.