[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6555999,"mediaKeyId","3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0","parentId",3333360,"title","Board defers broker decision after competing pitches and procurement concerns","audioSeconds",547,"startMs",7233000,"endMs",7780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0&start=7233&end=7780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0/thumbnail_7233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555999/Louisiana/Board-defers-broker-decision-after-competing-pitches-and-procurement-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555999-645f6a4518ee5de66b2ae7ccc33f9219/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633976&Signature=ClxVxcARrDa0wHuLEdjmgdxp21tcU9qpFTzq999ER4PHkmpPoavj2Cm9AM7i0VPoVd~ekygzIcnUGMLMiu2kihgfDpdJcaq2xROyTVcykSviVop5K26teOASyuZkADqPGMqSMqoSfVWlyup1sqIXBr56Yj-GwvRvo7EzA8tVXDNKJi4auyieKU51muB7FUavOH4db0mIGJAhsdgwcrucksKAQDWzSYhtsLCCpN~ApFBrGoXQ8xbaF8hb5x5t~VXfSCvAJLCjAj~F7uP-Ht3VUUYVBbdNGrz1hZWwW-SwO15fI0-krix2E7Bp1uqkm32IOADjTiCh50TkkDlyim3nHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lafayette Parish School System","date","2025-05-16T00:26:42.43Z","article","The Lafayette Parish School Board voted to defer action on agenda item 3.16, which would have authorized the superintendent to negotiate a property-and-casualty brokerage contract with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services. The motion to defer sent the matter to the board’s Insurance and Finance Committee for additional review.

The item drew competing public comment: Tyler Smith of Alliant Insurance Services (the district’s incumbent broker) urged the board to reject the item because the district currently has a broker agreement procured under a competitive RFP and he said any change should follow Louisiana procurement code procedures. Alliant argued that replacing a broker during the renewal window could disrupt coverage and that an RFP planned for later in the year should proceed.

Representatives from Gallagher and another local broker told the board they had already reviewed the district’s data and said they could produce materially lower premiums and better coverage terms. The superintendent told the board Gallagher had proposed increases to limits and lowered deductibles and estimated possible premium savings in the range of $450,000 to $750,000, and he described Gallagher’s offer as including higher overall limits and lower retentions compared with what the district currently carries.

Board members who supported deferral said the insurance committee should vet the proposals, assess legal procurement compliance and verify that any claimed savings are real and documented. Committee members and observers noted the district’s renewal timeline (policies expire at the end of June) and the potential operational risk of switching brokers during the renewal process; Alliant said it is continuing placement work under its existing contract.

The board approved the motion to defer and send the item to the Insurance and Finance Committee; the meeting record shows a roll-call tally reported after debate. Staff and committee members said they will reconvene quickly so the committee can review comparative proposals, the incumbent placement work and procurement options.

Ending: The board’s deferral leaves placement under current contract in place for now while the insurance committee reviews competing proposals, legal procurement implications and the district’s renewal schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 15, 2025 - LPSB-Regular Board Meeting - REVISED","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to defer a proposal giving the superintendent authority to negotiate an insurance-broker contract after public comment and committee concerns about procurement law, continuity of coverage and claimed premium savings.","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":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6556004,"Facilities director outlines district upgrades: LED retrofits, secure vestibules, playground and kitchen renovations",172,858000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0&start=858&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0/thumbnail_858000.jpg","/articles/6556004/Louisiana/Facilities-director-outlines-district-upgrades-LED-retrofits-secure-vestibules-playground-and-kitchen-renovations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556004-c08f5756eee9fbfb9aea53bfae2c4cf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633976&Signature=ZcWDe961gICM64607QEbPEjWMgwtfnm4ChJiyPXZc9UR0AYb2Hq16mZ5Q0MjDr23mkjsOd7BF-CokTnoOaLNHJ9NrQNG9q4Oz7OXaBe013aFGcFzXj4s7skeqqfxRHzbOlhRIKgMOS~vsWFvQAa6agl0fvZZUvgZzIcvyy4hYqSK4lqJsAkEYpxoHW5Go5DPttA-DBEhKLps9pVog8xnySu11vLqH1nLr5mOCDuA2vd4TzJyfrYMO80zVCOm51iyvcKMkxP2G75hkuumiyFu706l1m8NbNlu~j6pi~j9LN8FiaZH1YGDYBWWXO1~jziH~HZpE9gXiYPsyiWbuUbj-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Gautreaux, who presented a year-end slideshow for the construction, maintenance and facilities department, outlined dozens of campus projects completed or underway across Lafayette Parish.

Gautreaux emphasized safety and operational upgrades as priorities: the district secured a utility-led conversion at six schools to LED lighting that the presenter described as “almost $2,000,000 of free work” and said the upgrades are expected to reduce energy bills by roughly 30%. He said secure vestibules with ballistic-resistant glass and reinforced walls were installed at multiple campuses and that fencing, canopies and covered walkways were added to reduce student exposure to rain during drop-off.

Other projects highlighted included playground upgrades (replacing pea gravel with mulch and adding borders); installation of a 90-by-80 indoor practice canopy at Acadiana High; an agriculture storage and operations facility at Carencro High built on an existing concrete pad; conversion of tile floors to sealed concrete for lower maintenance; a half-million-dollar kitchen hood upgrade at Paul Breaux (to meet industrial hood code requirements); restroom and sewer repairs; new storage buildings (30-by-40) for campuses (quoted at under $50,000 each); gym-floor replacements; painting campaigns across dozens of schools; and new outdoor pavilions and covered walkways.

Gautreaux said the department has been in place under the current leadership for nearly two years and that staff focused work by district. Board members and administrators thanked Gautreaux and his team for the pace and breadth of work; one board member said the additional savings and project completions made initiatives possible that were not previously feasible.

Ending: District staff said the slideshow represented a sample of work and that the department will continue to prioritize safety and facility maintenance. The district did not present a separate vote on these informational items; they were presented for the board and public at the meeting.","The district’s construction, maintenance and facilities department reviewed a year of projects including free LED retrofits with Entergy, secure vestibule installations, playground conversions to mulch, kitchen hood replacements and new agriculture and practice facilities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6556008,"Board adds and advances plan to move Como arts academies to Lafayette High; parents ask for delay and clarity",2537,2262000,4799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0&start=2262&end=4799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0/thumbnail_2262000.jpg","/articles/6556008/Louisiana/Board-adds-and-advances-plan-to-move-Como-arts-academies-to-Lafayette-High-parents-ask-for-delay-and-clarity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556008-761a9e1103fddf2f5218aa10fc10a288/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633976&Signature=ozQeiCUyuO0zplqG8x55uj7YZHG3kNwWGZCu5xXYnWULiFaJsyfBF7ya5-271DL6MYvDDs6944acw0jd2X1X2gaYPezyy9So3ZMaBEb9csXdnLqScbt34PiJywRfYllcjoINnLV71EYtijiqjBb0wFWdirOFPu3mDLTqJwqcjDib8lzs5P3zDE~C0-wSaZkESOX6BIpZgcSCugc7YrJgasWmKrxoiuBCBnHEMgvEgHSSIrPYUd9htpTtrg2vc0xerJjidnT2qlL2Bddv0CChvpTS~tETpHtfjbb1kjqq1kJPukJ2cGDHqKO7O4C3AJsSp3BSA3AhENGAbNtw1p582Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette Parish School Board voted to add an item to the consent agenda to relocate the visual arts program from Como High School to Lafayette High School and discussed a broader plan to move the performing arts academy. The addition to the consent agenda passed by board voice vote, and the related items were included in the consent block the board approved later in the meeting.

The proposal prompted multiple public commenters — students, parents and community members — to urge the board to delay, offer more transparent outreach and assess the impacts on scheduling, seniors’ credentials and family transportation. One parent called the timeline “hurried,” saying families had learned about the planned change with only weeks’ notice and noting many students had already completed schedules for next year.

District staff provided enrollment history and projections for the Como academies to justify the recommendation. Magnet/assessment staff presented multi-year counts showing the performing arts pathway had significantly fewer applicants and lower enrollment than in earlier years at Lafayette High; the staff noted historical enrollment dropped after the academies moved campuses and that projections for next year showed fewer students than the programs’ capacities. Specific figures presented by staff included a decline from several hundred students in earlier years to mid-hundreds and projections in the low hundreds for the upcoming year; staff emphasized the numbers were vetted by the Department of Magnet Academies.

Board members who supported the move framed it as a fiduciary and access decision intended to preserve program viability and broaden opportunities for students across the parish. Board members who opposed or expressed caution urged additional community engagement and clarity on how the district would handle students already enrolled at Como, particular seniors and students who are not zoned for Como.

District staff described transition options: students zoned for Como may remain at Como; students who wish to remain at Como but are not in the Como zone may petition to stay; district leaders said they would work to accommodate rising juniors (who would be seniors next year) with collaborative master schedules and a shuttle between campuses so those students could complete required credits. The district said it would invite families to confirm whether students wish to remain in a Como pathway or move to Lafayette High for the performing arts sequence.

Board members and staff reiterated a commitment to continue investing in Como High School facilities and programs; several said the item is not a school closure and that the district intends to repurpose and reinvigorate Como if the academy move proceeds.

Ending: The board added the visual arts relocation to the agenda by unanimous voice vote and included performing-arts relocation in the consent agenda; the meeting record shows those items were processed with the consent block but does not show a separate roll-call vote for each item. Staff said they would contact students and families directly to finalize placements and scheduling.","After the board added a motion to relocate the visual arts program and included the performing arts move in the consent agenda, parents and students urged more notice and raised concerns about transportation, scheduling and program continuity. District staff presented enrollment history and transition options for students.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6556013,"Lafayette Parish board approves $50,000 starting salary for teachers and a merit-based incentive package",1622,1998000,3620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0&start=1998&end=3620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3333360-8ea7f3d93a7888f33f7fb636db923ae0/thumbnail_1998000.jpg","/articles/6556013/Louisiana/Lafayette-Parish-board-approves-50000-starting-salary-for-teachers-and-a-merit-based-incentive-package","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556013-b545a82e9c7fc70026901be103bd44bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770633976&Signature=OExtGMZClfbLeYn1rq8rqpPKHzss0p0sgl18Btew~~C~~XQxULe~Dm11c~fPEXcaBWHRwOudfKjXeynpDlbcBkwm4wR~inb1U1ukSFbH~RtsT2MwVHkzbokBuQpV-Vq0V~4z7mQ4u8PUa9bJ82CoOYpPrIAf~pzwFfYSb1udL3uhIsd2TvxqLVXlasphaWeRTHIG~5H6hB5CGRGCDcnBNBCrqyxTZm~SWK~S~Lou5p1ds7EsVshEOLEfsw~f1ue90ZxN1BYSvWeue8Z5xlBr40bY3i2KLGPqXtWLirr8p2INH4t3uZkhCNgXHyFJNlau8BaV0wCCwOyaT2-bOK2uzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lafayette Parish School Board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to raise the starting teacher salary to $50,000 and to adopt a merit-based incentive package, a change the district says is intended to improve teacher recruitment and retention.

The measure was approved as part of the board’s consent agenda at the May board meeting after multiple public comments and extended board discussion. The district said the raises will apply to all teachers and that additional stipends will be available for certain extracurricular duties and performance measures.

The superintendent described the core of the plan as “across-the-board raises for all teachers” and emphasized a $50,000 starting salary for teachers with a bachelor’s degree, saying that increase is intended to make the district more competitive and to retain teachers in high-need subjects. Officials said the pay change will move Lafayette Parish ahead of neighboring parishes and that the district’s salary scale still rewards experience and advanced credentials.

Labor and community groups voiced support for the base raises but urged changes to the incentive structure. Julie Reed, president of the Lafayette Parish Association of Educators, said her organization “wholeheartedly support[s] base pay raises,” but she and others asked the board to expand incentives beyond scores tied to standardized tests and to ensure all campus staff contributing to student outcomes are eligible.

Other public commenters asked for protections in the attendance-based portions of the incentive plan — highlighting staff with chronic illnesses, family-care responsibilities and employees who must use leave for legitimate reasons — and urged inclusion of paraprofessionals and other support staff in future compensation adjustments.

District staff said the plan was developed after four town-hall meetings and an online comment period. Magnet/assessment staff presented comparative data they said show the $50,000 starting salary will lift the district in statewide rankings (staff cited a move to 18th in the state and first among immediate neighbors, per district analysis). The superintendent said the district will reassess the incentive program annually and adjust it based on feedback and state accountability changes.

Financial clarifications: the board also announced a one-time interest reserve payment tied to the half-cent sales tax that will generate a single direct-deposit check this year of $598.44 per qualifying teacher, the board said. The salary and incentive changes were approved as part of the consent agenda; the meeting record does not list a separate roll-call tally for the consent block.

Board members said they expect to continue refining the incentive structure and pledged to examine expansion of raises for custodial, cafeteria, and paraprofessional staff in future budget cycles.

Ending: District leaders said implementation details, including qualifying criteria and the timeline for direct deposits or payroll changes, will be posted to district communications and shared with employees before the end of the school year.","The Lafayette Parish School Board approved the superintendent’s pay package raising the starting teacher salary to $50,000 and adding merit and extracurricular incentives after public comment and board discussion about scope and fairness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board defers broker decision after competing pitches and procurement concerns

Facilities director outlines district upgrades: LED retrofits, secure vestibules, playground and kitchen renovations

Board adds and advances plan to move Como arts academies to Lafayette High; parents ask for delay and clarity

Lafayette Parish board approves $50,000 starting salary for teachers and a merit-based incentive package