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Board approves new building inspector position; superintendent says role will be low-level and trained on site
Summary
The Lafayette Parish School Board approved adding a building inspector position intended to provide daily on-the-ground checks at campuses; the superintendent said the district will train the new hire and does not intend the role to replace architects or certified inspectors.
The Lafayette Parish School Board approved adding a building inspector position to district staff as part of the consent agenda. The superintendent told the board the position is intended to provide daily, on-the-ground oversight to identify maintenance and safety issues at schools and that the district will train the hire rather than require high-level construction certifications.
The superintendent said the inspector would not replace architects or formal condition assessments but would perform routine checks and flag hazards, citing examples such as lights out and improperly stored materials in HVAC closets. "This is a very low level position... We are gonna train this person, and we're gonna get them to be able to see what I feel as a superintendent that I wanna see in every school," the superintendent said.
During public comment, Chris German, who said he has more than 20 years in project management and construction, recommended requiring industry certifications for the role. "For a building inspector, there's the Uniform Construction Code Council. They offer many, and I think it's a requirement should be a requirement for that job," German said. The transcript records that the job listing lacked listed certifications and that commenters recommended certifications such as construction or maintenance credentials.
Board members who regularly visit school campuses supported the new position as a way to keep principals and custodial staff focused on education and cleaning duties rather than on identifying building-system issues. "Our principals need to concentrate on educating our kids and not walking around outside the buildings all day... so thank you for this position," said Miss Mason, a board member who said she spends time on campuses.
The consent motion that included the new position passed as part of the package of non-pulled consent items. The meeting record does not contain a final job posting, salary, or effective hire date; the superintendent described the role as low-level and trainable and indicated staff will implement the position if and when hiring proceeds.
