Lafayette Parish school leaders warn of budget shortfalls as charter transfers, insurance losses and millage renewal loom

During a meeting of the Lafayette Parish School Board, finance staff reviewed the district’s fiscal outlook and warned that charter-school growth, self-funded insurance losses and an expiring property tax could combine to create multi‑million-dollar shortfalls.

The presentation, led on the record by finance staff member Anthony Woods, focused on the district’s revenue mix and specific budget pressures. "Our net NFP allocation for the school district this year is $124,000,000," Woods said, and he added that the district currently expects to transfer about $52,900,000 to charter schools this year as part of state funding flows.

Those transfers come as enrollment has declined. The district reported total enrollment of 28,759 and said charter enrollments are rising in a way that, district staff estimate, may reduce local tax revenue by tens of millions of dollars over the next two years. Woods and staff projected a loss tied to charter growth of roughly $41,500,000 in a near term projection and cited a scenario that could push local-tax…