[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6395931,"mediaKeyId","2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897","parentId",2098088,"title","Board approves solicitation for exclusive graduation photographer, exempts schools with signed contracts","audioSeconds",456,"startMs",1799000,"endMs",2255000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897&start=1799&end=2255","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897/thumbnail_1799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395931/Louisiana/Board-approves-solicitation-for-exclusive-graduation-photographer-exempts-schools-with-signed-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395931-ae29681be8dd35cc9488f9c48b823084/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571016&Signature=SnHDLdlrohvwtbUYp6tmHIbJemW9Agl0Kzhd96FZP8umhu0CMoJtV7lX6OHYtl2ff09dBGq2iVmnJzglQ8V-5zoBVUlDxK6PaM4N0PgTgK~yI~bA2iN7LStHdUL2kUtk5P8pCohbGfpzj5FseM7Y2VQjTEsJ3Co3VuPxG8gWFzXi31r-J3WWgO3C2xhRzVq344W-mFGk847LWkEnAgaZ0-8xv4OEFpaOnn9sDMSAa390frlzjqrU4Nqm4MxP1Ji9V1OU3BTG-4huNNtQdC0ex6GRpNJb2o509jhFna7-Lc~FLLTvZbESGfNBoB~Wk0CWFcAfo5R71pgFLDNj-FB8PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-10T06:32:42.743Z","article","The Lafayette Parish School Board voted on Jan. 8 to authorize the superintendent to solicit quotations from qualified vendors to serve as the exclusive photographer for all high school graduation ceremonies, excluding Early College Academy and any high school that already has a signed, binding contract dated prior to Jan. 8, 2025.

The motion that passed (second substitute motion) instructed the superintendent to select the vendor that best meets district requirements. Board members debated whether to also exempt schools with verbal or unsigned agreements; several members cautioned that a verbal agreement could be created quickly and said the district would require evidence of an existing agreement if an exemption were claimed. The superintendent said no schools had submitted written, signed contracts for graduation photography for 2025 when staff checked.

Nut graf: The action responds to repeated concerns from vendors and community members that past procurement practices for graduation photography gave some providers exclusivity without open competition. Supporters said the solicitation will create a transparent opportunity for vendors; opponents worried about honoring prior commitments and about schools that bundle photography into class fees.

Board member Miss Labou offered a substitute motion that would have permitted schools with an existing verbal or written agreement to be exempt; other members countered that a verbal agreement could be quickly fabricated. A second substitute motion added the narrower exemption — only schools with a signed binding contract dated before Jan. 8, 2025 — and that motion carried. The secretary announced, “84 none against.”

Ending: The superintendent’s office will issue solicitation documents and evaluate quotations; the board instructed staff to determine whether any school can produce a signed contract predating Jan. 8, 2025 and to honor those contracts if verified.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jan 8, 2025 - LPSB-Regular Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Lafayette Parish School Board voted on Jan. 8 to authorize the superintendent to solicit quotations from qualified vendors to serve as the exclusive photographer for all high school graduation ceremonies, excluding Early College Academy and any high school that already has a signed, binding contract dated prior to Jan. 8, 2025.","taxTitle","Lafayette Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",14462,"location","Louisiana","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6395936,"School board directs superintendent to request de‑identified paid‑claims report amid insurance cost concerns",100,1386000,1486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897&start=1386&end=1486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897/thumbnail_1386000.jpg","/articles/6395936/Louisiana/School-board-directs-superintendent-to-request-deidentified-paidclaims-report-amid-insurance-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395936-407f64f4aa333cf75f00503b9d5f27bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571016&Signature=g8yffLWSLAgBgiMLRkZ7Z-LiUFX8V4NHLLcMiENMlfnqh99mhoCiutdYXE8yllT7Em08O4fgaJ9qrzjohyuvXoOOsFiwIiMfzh2~dcSciU5rMDl-RexmjNfL3dziWrZNKfXQgkpu7nE9bWjXQ7zhzMh8DgVV0KEiRMHB0YpgSvW5FDYa-a7RmQPUTm8~U0FJCONb7W6VQtqPzwc2SvfdPr6le-gVzdsF4DC00xuIE1UhXs9BQ1JpQMtC2QivAvwlIw7ENaUCJP99MNCo3keopNFGd7rcb-JFmfyJMcrz7brxGFpG12C-pCo-V8NPZ7j3dgRaK2AM2HNoALlVAGXG0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette Parish School Board adopted resolution 01‑025‑2113 on Jan. 8 directing the superintendent to request a detailed paid‑claims report from the district’s third‑party administrator, with language intended to ensure any individually identifiable health information is excluded.

Board legal counsel David Hammonds told the board that most of the information in such a report would be public but that “anything that would individually identify an employee…would be personally identifiable information which is not subject to release.” Hammonds said the resolution’s language was crafted to address HIPAA and other privacy laws and to make clear the board’s intended uses of the report.

Nut graf: Members said the request responds to sustained concern about insurance expenses and the district’s fiduciary obligations as trustees of the health plan; they sought de‑identified data to evaluate costs without violating privacy protections.

Board members described insurance spending as a large part of the district budget. One board member, speaking from the insurance committee, said the review is intended to ensure the district is not paying excessive amounts and to determine whether discounts and billing accuracy are being achieved. Board member Miss Labou cited rough figures to put the matter in budget context: “our last year's budget was around $798,000,000…and one eighth of that or close to a $100,000,000 was insurance alone,” she said.

A motion to adopt the resolution passed; the board secretary announced, “84 none against.” The resolution text directs the superintendent to obtain the requested report and to ensure the report is used in accordance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.

Ending: The board gave the administration direction to request the report and review de‑identified information; no individual claim data will be released, per the district counsel’s explanation.","The Lafayette Parish School Board adopted a resolution directing the superintendent to request a detailed, de‑identified paid‑claims report from the district’s third‑party administrator as board members pressed for more data on rising insurance costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6395943,"Lafayette Parish superintendent flags budget pressure, says nine pre‑K sections may be cut",186,234000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897&start=234&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6395943/Louisiana/Lafayette-Parish-superintendent-flags-budget-pressure-says-nine-preK-sections-may-be-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395943-eaebd0c12f8337527461244e5b7bf395/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571016&Signature=lGizyTluX5KiUZHqdXTXCGFFYmj6j~DcXbWHdEu~QFM7-sBjGTLFR5qjw9XKnbw5AGaxJVNUNI1nF2vW0iQVG2~IXouFW0NOB-lGSvaOf7kgzoYwmiuWHlGJ2afZArcW4ZZJJ7ooVGwWeVnCR7DRM5A-bpU8avRF6Z-lIGRPGMEyoUG1ADbC7MUtaEajVoki0uJIWC2tdUVSBvV7qC0PfMQwR4--CdFB8I5GHmvFclcxFe~qUvEdlPH5iVLHyLYDBv-0PO1TBE1nh6GQjQnd3XSijPcoNIPkFzyGaGUM8Ggrop6v79YX~LP9uVaPRFLtiHoK3rsQwZcX-O~vLdvHuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Francis Touchett Jr. told the Lafayette Parish School Board on Jan. 8 that the district is preparing for tighter finances this spring and is considering removing nine pre‑K class sections that are currently paid from the district’s general fund.

Touchett said the district receives state MFP (Minimum Foundation Program) funding only for kindergarten through 12th grade, and that pre‑K funding the district receives is federal money that flows through the state under specific grant parameters. “Pre k is not funding that we get from the state. We only get MFP dollars for k to 12 students,” he said.

He explained that when a pre‑K class offers services outside the federal grant’s specified parameters — for example, Spanish or French immersion — the extra cost has been charged to the general fund. That, he said, is driving the proposed reduction. “When we talk about 9 sections, we’re really talking about 9 teachers and a requirement to have a pre k class as you have to have a paraprofessional by law. So there is a total of 18 people that when you remove these 9 sections from the general fund…we are looking at those salaries equaling up $1,000,000 that is costing the general fund,” Touchett said.

Nut graf: The superintendent framed the possible reductions as a response to a broader review of district spending and a priority to preserve classroom funding and teacher pay. He said the administration will continue to look for ways to restore opportunities if circumstances change and promised improved communication with the board and public about budget actions.

Board members and the superintendent tied the pre‑K discussion to other budget pressures, including charter school impacts and rising insurance costs. Touchett said staff will work through a timeline for budget decisions in the spring and described a pledge to prioritize money “in the classroom with teachers and students.” He reiterated a stated goal of increasing teacher salaries and exploring incentives tied to new accountability measures.

The superintendent characterized some past district spending as wasteful and said staff have identified areas to scrub from the general fund; he apologized for earlier gaps in communications about pending changes.

Ending: The board did not take a formal vote on the pre‑K sections during the Jan. 8 meeting; Touchett presented the staffing and funding rationale and said the administration will bring a timeline and communications to the board this spring.","Superintendent Francis Touchett Jr. told the Lafayette Parish School Board the district is reviewing budget cuts and may remove nine pre‑K class sections that now fall to the general fund, estimating roughly 18 staff positions and about $1 million in annual salary costs would shift off the general fund if the sections are cut.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6395922,"Board reelects vice president, moves meetings to Thursdays and adopts MLK and board recognition resolutions",165,500000,665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897&start=500&end=665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897/thumbnail_500000.jpg","/articles/6395922/Louisiana/Board-reelects-vice-president-moves-meetings-to-Thursdays-and-adopts-MLK-and-board-recognition-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395922-4d1cb532fab6ae0d812f0a82f11abe32/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571016&Signature=aRuabZ3GUG6DDV9HZFlM5B4cwKJq5MlNZ-ZTbxIi95rbL50Ya1Vhos~qFpM-5U4w4YgDQ6LLgMsRNghrN3qjohYOURcOd9p7sdoxiIpKVeTtCF0wbQvhxx8xUBYT0hE3LEEsWmuPq1Fsibr8XbH7fY4jurjpu22iadZT257uGqFgUmPhGfp588Te8Aom1cRU6EedSzuBUWVTa9bVgsS4YOGNyKU~IYo1xzWHNMeR6GBSdvRrq9A3POjAEVyumWV31mdkvzo-SNWXL98mJOeQZ4AF0qlRQB8pjjC5lgpKGPyGGCAL~FhQZSE7EjI6wsqcTqN25Kh4nvbvKar3DHzpJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 8 meeting the Lafayette Parish School Board opened nominations for board president and vice president for 2025. Nominations for vice president produced a single nominee and the board confirmed Miss Mason as vice president for 2025.

Board president elect (nominations for president were opened during the meeting but no formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the transcript.) The board president stated meetings will move from Wednesdays to Thursdays for 2025; the president said February’s meeting will move from Feb. 19 to Feb. 20, but the meeting start time will remain 5 p.m. District staff were directed to post the schedule change on the district website and social media.

Nut graf: The leadership and calendar changes are procedural but important for public notice; the board also adopted two resolutions recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and School Board Recognition Month.

Board member Miss Trahan read a resolution (01‑025‑2111) supporting Jan. 20, 2025 as the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and directed administrators and teachers to observe the day with classroom activities. The board also adopted resolution 01‑023‑2052 declaring January 2025 as School Board Recognition Month to acknowledge board members’ service; the resolution text was certified by Francis Touchett Jr. as secretary/treasurer.

A motion to approve items on the consent agenda (items not pulled) was made and the board approved that grouped motion; the secretary announced, “84 none against.” Several items were pulled for individual discussion earlier in the meeting.

Ending: The board’s administrative and calendar decisions were procedural; staff were assigned to publicize the new Thursday meeting schedule and to ensure district systems reflect the closures for MLK Day.","The Lafayette Parish School Board opened nominations for leadership, confirmed a vice president, moved regular meetings from Wednesday to Thursday beginning Feb. 20, 2025, and adopted two ceremonial resolutions recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and School Board Recognition Month.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6395927,"Board approves purchase of property to provide Domain Road access for Acadiana High",53,1252000,1305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897&start=1252&end=1305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098088-de0dd854b280648949bf44e39bbb4897/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","/articles/6395927/Louisiana/Board-approves-purchase-of-property-to-provide-Domain-Road-access-for-Acadiana-High","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395927-d809fa6236f827aeaec140a60a6c7338/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571016&Signature=NkEWbz7hRkB8Kn6Vo9oax0lDJzPAJu8IJKHkHBMKVH1~71l3iGN0~s0Q2Xm5AxgFbolAxfWvsNsMR97sXvpzQ~loGfCny7r-ptgPFJQ-rBcfx2VNN3HD8Z~W61dJRJgJlDdIL8psGJ~0T3Mpx6fQzn0g5BIaB6xW9v6StpFhKllxaOJ2ZcuDHb7poMhBy3CEtnf5rnM89Rc2Weu2zptMw-B5--Uembk699BFfVD0r4ybch5o~wuDCoXR3laqG0MFa3fAIPRocrdsVVsTPTOYOzyXL1B~tR-h3hGGRDQuUZvt0X92UI-H-awRsMFHT6UORJrKDGxt6-~1l~TQNgG~zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette Parish School Board authorized the superintendent and board president to close on property adjacent to Acadiana High on Jan. 8. The acquisition will provide permanent vehicle access to Domain Road and additional parking and egress near the school's football field, staff said.

District staff member Mr. Duggal explained the parcel had been discussed with the seller family for roughly 15 years and that the district recently learned that Rue De Bellet — the current access route — will be shut down for an extended period for bridge replacement. “This would give us permanent access to Domain Road and also for additional parking and egress and ingress for the football game since it is near the football field,” Duggal said.

Nut graf: The property purchase was presented as an operational need to maintain and improve access to the campus in light of imminent roadwork that would affect the school’s current access.

The property acquisition appeared on the consent agenda and was approved as part of the motion to adopt all items not pulled. A member of the public asked during comment what the purpose of the property purchase was; the board responded that the acquisition was intended to secure access and parking as described by staff.

Ending: The board approved closing authority; no further details about purchase price, seller name beyond \"the Saloon family\" or closing date were provided during the meeting.","The board authorized closing on a property adjacent to Acadiana High to secure permanent access to Domain Road, provide additional parking and egress, and mitigate the impact of a long‑term bridge closure on Rue De Bellet, district staff said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves solicitation for exclusive graduation photographer, exempts schools with signed contracts

School board directs superintendent to request de‑identified paid‑claims report amid insurance cost concerns

Lafayette Parish superintendent flags budget pressure, says nine pre‑K sections may be cut

Board reelects vice president, moves meetings to Thursdays and adopts MLK and board recognition resolutions

Board approves purchase of property to provide Domain Road access for Acadiana High