Church School In Ruston Using Chapel For Voucher Expansion

RUSTON, La. (AP) — A church-run school in Ruston is dividing its chapel into four classrooms and using the second floor of its gymnasium to hold 165 new students who have state tuition vouchers.

Don Zeringue of the state fire marshal's office tells the Ruston Leader that plan and one for a building planned to hold even more students have been approved.

Classes begin Aug. 20 at New Living Word School, and Zeringue says there will be another inspection on the 22nd.

State Sen. Rick Gallot, who is a member of the church, says the school still plans to put up a new building. He says that will likely let it house all of the 315 students it was originally approved for.