METAIRIE, La. — Once a bustling school in Old Metairie, all that’s left of Haynes Academy now are people’s memories of it.
“It was wonderful,” Haynes Academy Alumni and longtime Old Metairie Resident Muffin Balart said. “I had the best teachers, and they lived in the neighborhood.”
The land where those memories were made is worth millions less than some anticipated.
“We were surprised that it came in at that time, but it is what it is,” Balart said.
Last year, Jefferson Parish schools announced plans to sell the eight-acre lot off of Old Metairie Road, move the school across town, and reinvest the profit back into the classroom.
According to Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken, school officials expected the land to appraise for around $20,000,000.
“It’s an opportunity they’re taking to regroup and decide what’s the best path forward,” Councilwoman Van Vrancken said.
At a valuation of $12,300,000, they’re now exploring their options. The district sent a statement to the media saying, “The plans for the former Haynes Academy site have yet to be finalized. The District is currently evaluating various options for the site, including the potential sale or repurposing of the property. The decision-making is ongoing.”
But at a valuation of 12.3 million, school board officials are now exploring their options.
“It’s disappointing to everyone involved that the appraisals didn’t come back in the ballpark that they were anticipating,” Van Vrancken said.
The decision to clear the land came with concerns last year, mainly from long-time residents like Muffin Balark.
“We faced it with some, you know, trepidation because we weren't sure exactly what was going to be done with the property,” Balark said.
Moving forward, she says she and her neighbors would like to see the space become a passing park where new memories can be made.
“That’s what we’re all about, trying to protect our property values by the value of the property,” Balark said.
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