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Lafayette Parish board approves new K‑8 campus on JW Falk site
Summary
The Lafayette Parish School Board voted unanimously to build a new K‑8 facility on the JW Falk Elementary site and to merge students from three schools into the new campus; board members said the project responds to long-standing facility needs on the North Side of Lafayette.
The Lafayette Parish School Board on Sept. 16 voted unanimously to approve construction of a new K‑8 facility on the site of JW Falk Elementary and to merge students from Paulborough Middle School, JW Falk Elementary and Dr. Rafael Barranco Elementary into the new campus.
Board member Miss Strahan moved the measure and Mr. Josh Edmond seconded it; the motion carried on a voice vote. Superintendent Tushet said the new school is expected to seat about 1,200 to 1,300 students. Miss Gorner, a district staff member, told the board the three existing schools currently enroll a combined 974 students.
Why it matters: board members and community speakers said the project addresses decades of deferred facility repairs on Lafayette’s North Side and aims to keep students in a single K‑8 pathway rather than losing them between elementary and middle school. Supporters said a single new building would improve morale, program continuity and long‑term planning for the area.
Public comment and board discussion
Forrest Chasson, president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, thanked the board and urged a unanimous vote, saying the decision would send a strong message that the district is serving all neighborhoods. "I just hope that the board will also recognize the need for the school and that we have a unanimous vote," Chasson said.
Paulborough Middle School Principal Drayton described the current building as "old" and in "deplorable condition," saying teachers and students cope daily with problems that short‑term repairs do not fix. "Our students deserve more than what these aging walls can offer," Drayton said, urging the board to approve a permanent replacement.
Board members from multiple districts praised the proposal as long overdue and said they were glad to move forward collaboratively. Several members framed the project as part of a broader effort to eliminate portable classrooms and improve facilities districtwide.
Scope, capacity and next steps
Superintendent Tushet told the board the planned facility would be designed to accommodate roughly 1,200–1,300 students; the district’s current combined enrollment for the three schools is 974. Board members discussed projections and neighborhood growth when considering whether that capacity is sufficient; one member said she would support increasing capacity later if needed.
Related administrative items approved
The vote on the new campus came amid a broader consent agenda that the board approved by voice vote. The consent package included facilities and finance items tied to planning and funding for capital projects — among them an RFQ for a construction manager at risk (CMAR) to lead the District 4 K‑8 project and a preliminary resolution authorizing up to $50 million in sales tax revenue bonds (Resolution 925‑146) for 2025 projects. The board also approved several administrative items on that consent agenda, including a new job description for a gifted and talented support facilitator and purchase plans to replace leased special‑education buses.
What the board did not decide tonight
The board approved construction authorization and related preparatory steps; it did not adopt final architectural plans, a firm budget for the K‑8 campus, nor a construction timeline at the meeting. Board members said an RFQ for CMAR and subsequent architect and budget selections are next steps.
Votes at a glance
- Construction approval: Motion to approve construction of a new K‑8 facility on the JW Falk Elementary site and to merge Paulborough Middle School, JW Falk Elementary and Dr. Rafael Barranco Elementary students into the new campus — mover: Miss Strahan; seconder: Mr. Josh Edmond; outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote). - Consent agenda: Included RFQ for CMAR for the District 4 K‑8 project, preliminary approval of not‑to‑exceed $50,000,000 sales tax revenue bonds (Resolution 925‑146), proposed 2025 bond construction fund budget, job description updates (including gifted and talented facilitator), and SPED bus replacement — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Litigation item 5.1: After an executive session the board returned to regular session and agreed to the demand regarding litigation item 5.1 — outcome: approved (voice vote).
Next steps: the district will issue the RFQ for a CMAR, select an architect and present predesign and budget recommendations to the board for future votes. The board did not provide a firm construction start date at the meeting.
