[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,76,87],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6073608,"mediaKeyId","2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407","parentId",2991000,"title","Votes at a glance: Lafayette Parish School Board approves consent resolutions, appoints municipal advisor and confirms bell schedule","audioSeconds",1441,"startMs",516000,"endMs",1957000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407&start=516&end=1957","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407/thumbnail_516000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073608/Louisiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Lafayette-Parish-School-Board-approves-consent-resolutions-appoints-municipal-advisor-and-confirms-bell-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073608-e8cc11449b425a58f1cd81551dee5b78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150916&Signature=YfWDl-XDfCFQWY151CcUTDBkNt0Xk4FZgNuZ~m1C8t8M3roK2xWKcmjHSqTrUdKRHP7kHnXE4Pl~2fnTmVDBz91V0BIQLA6dEWCzxrYrXwAxmtvFkG2Fk6AEmO7eDDpiW4nWb1PDdNUeW0uBtxN44YuREB~LcmkQBD12eqjvRV~V8xR9ofXqGfUXqbW0wt~-6yQ6h~uyMozUFlVQrpZdveqhktmsOjsYBfJ3-OB~Ch5Tf3bSN5OOqbG4vNvmnCJvwWU~uub4CW3OCi8qKxfuBevkY0frRw3GQfpAcFhtdTefKQarVk92fsF9X0yvq2lKiZCehVq4Gz8QyZu4dZzQGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lafayette Parish School System","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","At its regular meeting the Lafayette Parish School Board approved multiple consent resolutions and took several formal actions. Items were approved either as part of the consent package or by separate motions; recorded tallies noted six members voting in favor and four absent for the recorded votes.

Votes and key outcomes (consent package and separate motions):

- Resolution 04-025-2127, Week of the Young Child (April 5–11, 2025): adopted as part of the consent package.

- Resolution recognizing School Library Month (resolution number referenced in agenda as Four‑twenty five‑two‑128): adopted as part of the consent package.

- Resolution preliminarily approving not to exceed $70,000,000 of sales tax revenue bonds, Series 2025 (agenda reference Four‑twenty five‑two‑100 209): the board approved the preliminary resolution authorizing a bond authorization amount and related procedures as part of consent. The agenda also included a separate board item to appoint D.A. Davidson as underwriter/placement agent pursuant to MSRB rules G‑17 and G‑23.

- Resolution ordering and calling an election to authorize renewal of an ad valorem tax (agenda reference 04‑025‑2130): adopted as part of consent; the resolution places the renewal on the ballot in the October election as stated in the agenda.

- Resolution 04‑025‑2131, National Autism Awareness Month: adopted as part of consent.

- Resolution declaring National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day (agenda reference 04‑025‑2132): read and adopted; the resolution recognizes bus drivers and transportation staff and directs the superintendent or designee to celebrate the day on April 10, 2025.

- Appointment of D.A. Davidson and Company as underwriter/placement agent and appointment of Argent Advisors as municipal advisor for the proposed bond transaction (agenda references 3.12 and 3.3): the board recorded actions appointing financial and advisory firms in connection with the proposed sales tax revenue bond; the agenda language cites MSRB rules G‑17 and G‑23 for underwriter conduct.

- Item 3.11: Approval of recommended bell schedules for 2025–26 (pulled from consent and voted separately): passed; motion included superintendent flexibility to amend or modify times as needed due to bus transportation concerns.

- Executive session (items 4.1 and 4.2) and post‑session action: the board moved into executive session to discuss pending workers’ compensation litigation and prospective litigation. Upon return, the board accepted counsel’s recommendations on both items; that acceptance was recorded as a formal action.

How votes were taken: The board approved the package of consent items not pulled in an early vote. The only consent item pulled for separate discussion was the bell schedule; that item was discussed at length and then voted. For the recorded votes in the transcript the board announced “6, 4, none against” which the board clerk stated after votes; the board record indicates six members voting in favor with four members absent.

Ending — Several resolutions were ceremonial or observances and were passed without amendment as part of the consent agenda. The administration and finance staff were directed to continue work on the proposed bond plans and to finalize transportation route details after approval of the bell schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 10, 2025 - LPSB-Regular Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its regular meeting the Lafayette Parish School Board approved multiple consent resolutions and took several formal actions; recorded tallies show six members voting in favor and four absent for the recorded votes.","taxTitle","Lafayette Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",14462,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_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":74,"_75":74},6073614,"School board approves new 2025–26 bell schedule over parent concerns about early start times",0,2505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407&start=2505&end=2505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407/thumbnail_2505000.jpg","/articles/6073614/Louisiana/School-board-approves-new-202526-bell-schedule-over-parent-concerns-about-early-start-times","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073614-a3c547ef3509389b8d76c645bb3a8b38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150916&Signature=C5ccNT5Cswxqw63bIDPNYAdu5BINhRtVPEYMrzkRsEpYA1NMtpSWDa3o0wwIU40FUB2kjgSsPdlIviLdxCwLoSiXxDKuPumPO-o5eUKhJDQ3D8YaqZf8qNidBpy2vmhPqGe2W8rxELCdNaBZNvMUT68Ef5d5RHUMB2l34-Epcb3PyhNF-gmN59jH2KO9mCPy45bwf8mqks76EMNvpQbaMpK9bYOJTdlVifDwh9XY~cfgxiTk4a28AFWpDNG8AdP8JZfnbCyfocEEpgm-d-c5~DEAvq3hkmXB9g~4mME4eJIh4vSigvlpRq8~-pWDQabHXAZhl-rt0cb~PImPh1fb3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette Parish School Board voted to approve recommended bell times for the 2025–26 school year, with the superintendent granted flexibility to amend schedules as needed for bus transportation.

Parents and community members urged the board to reconsider. “With only 10 minutes between middle and high school start times and only 5 minutes between dismissal, families with students at both will not have enough time to transport and pick up their kids,” said Nadine Malasa, a parent who testified during public comment. Malasa also described repeated bus service failures and said route spread and construction increase commute times for many families.

Valerie LeBlanc, another parent, cited medical guidance on adolescent sleep and urged the board not to move middle‑ and high‑school start times earlier. “The Academy of Pediatrics … has made its position abundantly clear. Middle school and high school students should not start before 8:30 a.m.,” she told the board, adding that earlier start times can harm academic performance and mental and physical health.

The superintendent and transportation staff said the changes aim to improve academic supports and make routes safer and more efficient. Superintendent Touchet told the board later dismissal times can be adjusted so more students are off buses before peak 5 p.m. traffic and said later teacher availability for after‑school tutoring informed the change. “We will be able to get teachers to stay after and we’re going to be able to get the kids that are in need to be able to have the things that they need,” he said.

Transportation staff said route consolidation can reduce the number of buses on the road and improve reliability. Miss Gardner, who led the transportation overhaul, said the system reached a 98% on‑road efficiency rate this year and that combined scheduling would allow some blended and paired routes to run with short layovers. Ross Clouto, transportation staff, said routes are being reworked now and that final route maps and satellite stop times are expected by early June, with confirmation to families to follow.

The motion to approve the recommended bell times passed; the board recorded the outcome as six members voting in favor and four absent. The motion included language granting the superintendent flexibility to amend times for transportation needs.

Ending — Board members and staff urged broad communication of the new times and called for repeated public outreach on social media, phone calls and the district website so families receive finalized routes and stop times before the school year.","The Lafayette Parish School Board approved revised 2025–26 bell times intended to improve transportation efficiency and reduce evening traffic exposure; parents and commenters raised concerns about shorter transfer windows, student sleep health and childcare impacts. The vote was 6 in favor, four absent.",{"_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":74,"_75":74},6073618,"Lafayette Parish superintendent outlines plan to raise teacher pay, propose new stipends and bonuses",149,91000,240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407&start=91&end=240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991000-a3ab9580aa59f6d06f003f4e727f6407/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6073618/Louisiana/Lafayette-Parish-superintendent-outlines-plan-to-raise-teacher-pay-propose-new-stipends-and-bonuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073618-4ce8bd4819af348986f9986fbf40b350/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150916&Signature=fDka4dWoVm2fGdQLXT7080agbNrvcKqjzJ6pfQx4YQ6LHY6XUvn2tK0BFPYHZr1CbWRP15dwF6gebLW1j5nn2V7NcjWLD~UhO7Mjwf31XoV6Wl1weUNn6nMa776cNqWc~3fIGiH-FkLqqiL-aCfkKCVcygXqOTvMTWJ5qmFX7wxguOU-6FS0wFq-xnpr97DhAskWoUfAAxWsjHXUM9SCP5ADOux7XboJiORMR897tS4VAYk6N89Dwa4Xod2J6w68PzXfwtUC5lxgqYE4iO7sq6n~GlNH3VT~V2sSY-4vX1SFo1raEzUSEqUIYSu3YS0KOR4Vnn1gHSulCVL3BJQ9bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Touchet presented a draft proposal for the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) 2025–26 teacher salary scale and incentive plan, saying the plan would raise the starting salary and add stipends and performance bonuses.

Touchet told the school board that the proposal is “a first look” and a draft for board and public feedback. “We increase teacher salaries for every single teacher here in Lafayette Parish and that means we start off with 0 years experience and $50,000 for those teachers,” he said, describing the baseline pay the administration is proposing.

The superintendent said the proposal would include across‑the‑board raises that vary by experience level — “probably equate at different times from $4,000 to $5,000 worth of an increase across the board” — and targeted incentives. He described a planned $1,800 early‑term stipend for certified teachers with good attendance, $2,000 hiring incentives for teachers at hard‑to‑staff schools, and year‑end growth bonuses “up to $3,000” tied to measures such as LEAP, VAM or DIBELS. Touchet also proposed new stipends for sponsors of extracurricular clubs and activities, and additional pay for coaching and directors who perform extra duties.

On funding, Touchet said roughly $3.5 million would come from district optimization and that staffing changes produced an additional $4.2 million; he also referenced using a portion of the district’s sales tax revenue to support the plan. He stressed the proposal is not a final budget item and described it as “a solid plan” the administration will refine.

The superintendent said staff will take the draft to several schools for feedback — listing Southside, Karen Crow, Acadian and STEM — and to teachers, with a goal of returning a more developed proposal to the board in May.

No formal vote or binding action was taken on the draft; Touchet repeatedly described it as informational and subject to change. The board did not adopt the scale or incentives at the meeting.

Ending — The superintendent framed the proposal as an effort to improve recruitment and retention: “This will help us with recruitment. This will help us keep our teachers,” he said. The administration will collect feedback at school meetings and present a revised proposal to the board at a future meeting.","Superintendent presented a draft 2025–26 teacher pay and incentive plan proposing a $50,000 starting salary, across‑the‑board increases and new stipends and bonuses; funding would come from district savings and sales tax revenues and the plan remains a draft with school and teacher feedback to be gathered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lafayette Parish School Board approves consent resolutions, appoints municipal advisor and confirms bell schedule

School board approves new 2025–26 bell schedule over parent concerns about early start times

Lafayette Parish superintendent outlines plan to raise teacher pay, propose new stipends and bonuses