Lafayette Parish gets committee approval to use Seymour for combined classroom projects; lawmakers question combining sites to meet $5M threshold

Lafayette Parish School Board officials told the joint committee on Nov. 5 they are seeking authorization to use the Seymour delivery method for two grouped projects and a separate school project to speed delivery and reduce portable classrooms.

Josh Fonneau of Lafayette Parish’s maintenance and construction department said Milton and Westside elementary projects were combined because the superintendent’s selection produced the same architect and similar designs; combined the two amount to about $8.2 million. Milton alone was described as roughly $2.2 million. Officials said Seymour helps the district phase design and construction so work can be done while schools remain active.

Senator Abraham and other members questioned whether combining projects across campuses risks excluding local contractors unfamiliar with Seymour procurement and whether combining locations solely to meet the $5 million Seymour threshold is lawful. Lafayette speakers said the choice was driven by schedule, the desire to avoid portable classrooms, and architect interest; they also described prior successful use of Seymour on large school projects and that procurement counsel advised their approach.

Senator Abraham moved approval on behalf of the Senate and Representative Chasson moved on behalf of the House; the joint committee approved both the combined Milton/Westside Seymour authorization and a separate Seymour request for Broadmoor Elementary. Committee members asked staff to provide legal-historical context on why the legislature reviews Seymour requests and the statutory threshold history.

—Reported from the Nov. 5 Joint Transportation, Highway and Public Works Committee meeting in Baton Rouge.