After a heated Lafayette Parish School Board in March, its April meeting appears to be more mundane.
Instead of proposals to discontinue immersion programs, overhaul academic programs or move programs from one school to another, most of the agenda is filled with requests to fund various capitol projects.
The board will vote whether to use funds that became available after other projects were completed under budget for new projects.
Those proposed projects are:
- A vestibule installation at Katherine Drexel Elementary: $60,000
- Fencing at Katherine Drexel Elementary: $140,000
- Painting at Katherine Drexel Elementary: $60,000
- Painting at Live Oak Elementary: $75,000
- Electrical upgrades at Acadian Middle: $40,000
- Painting at Acadian Middle: $125,000
- Lighting replacement at Acadian Middle: $50,000
- Restroom upgrades at Acadian Middle: $40,000
- Window replacements at Acadian Middle: $150,000
- HVAC replacement of pipes at Carencro Middle: $200,000
- Walkway covers and concrete at Carencro Middle: $30,000
- Classroom furniture at Edgar Martin Middle: $58,500
- Painting a portable building at Edgar Martin Middle: $35,000
- Walkway covers at Edgar Martin Middle: $40,000
- Lighting upgrades at Lafayette Middle: $40,000
- Lighting upgrades at L.J. Alleman Middle: $30,000
- Walkway covers at Paul Breaux Middle: $30,000
- Classroom furniture at Scott Middle School: $43,000
- Roof replacement at the Career Center: $30,000
Both Scott and Edgar Martin middle schools are expected to see more students enroll in the fall. That increase is anticipated after the board voted at its March meeting to move the full-time gifted and talented program from Paul Breaux Middle to Edgard Martin and move the Spanish and French immersion programs from Paul Breaux Middle to Scott Middle.
The board also will vote whether to add L.J. Alleman to the district’s list of school sites needed additions and replacements.
On that list already is a library and academic wing addition for Judice Middle; academic wing addition for Acadiana High; a football stadium for Southside High; a gym for David Thibodaux STEM; renovations for Carencro High’s Academy of Information Technology Center; and a library for Lafayette Middle School.
Other requests include revisions to previously approved capital projects like a roof for a portion of Carencro High and getting rid of portable buildings that are no longer being used.
Over the past four years, LPSS has spent more than $300 million on construction and capital improvements throughout the district. Replacing aging buildings, constructing new wings and classrooms and renovating buildings has consumed the largest portion of that budget.
The board meets at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the district office.
Other business
Also on the agenda is a proposed change to the dress code. That proposal has not been attached to the agenda for public viewing but a comment states it will be available Monday.
Unrelated to policy and its budget, the board will consider a resolution opposing state legislation establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which would provide tax dollars for private school tuition and other education expenses.
Many public-school leaders have raised concerns about the ESAs. Unlike Louisiana’s main school voucher program, which helps low-income families afford private school, the proposed ESA program would eventually offer stipends to all parents regardless of financial need — a universal entitlement that critics say could come with a huge price tag.
Gov. Jeff Landry has made public funding for private schools a top priority, and his office worked with lawmakers in crafting the ESA bills. The legislation also is backed by influential conservative groups in the state.
Before the board’s regular meeting, the board will review the results of an annual audit focused on the 2022-2023 fiscal year at 4 p.m.