Lafayette Parish School Board approves consent agenda, declares pavilion and portables surplus, accepts counsel recommendation after executive session

The Lafayette Parish School Board approved its consent agenda and made several formal decisions Tuesday, including declaring the pavilion at J.W. Faulk and the district's remaining portable buildings surplus and accepting legal counsel's recommendation in a pending lawsuit after an executive session.

Board member Badgeron moved to approve all consent items (except any items pulled); the motion was seconded by Board member Desarmo and approved by voice vote. President Lachley said public comment is allowed only on pulled items; no members of the public spoke on consent items that were not pulled. Item 3.4 (declaration of surplus property for the pavilion at J.W. Faulk and all remaining portable buildings) was pulled for discussion.

Board member Edmond moved, and Board member Lejern seconded, a motion "that the board approve the pavilion at J W Faulk and all remaining portable buildings currently to any school within Lafayette Parish District be considered surplus property and authorize the construction maintenance and facilities department to sell and or dispose of the buildings pursuant to R.S. 17:87.6." Superintendent Touchette told the board there are "approximately 116 portable buildings that are still on the campuses in Lafayette Parish" and said the district will not remove buildings until necessary wing additions are complete and needs are reassessed. The board approved the motion by voice vote.

On litigation, the board moved into executive session to discuss Catherine Francois v. Mary Robin et al., docket number C20230098E, Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Parish of Lafayette. After returning to open session the board voted to accept counsel's recommendation on agenda item 4.1; the motion carried by voice vote. The board did not detail the substance of counsel's recommendation on the public record.

Why it matters: Declaring portable buildings surplus is a procedural step that authorizes facilities staff to sell or dispose of structures and signals the district's ongoing effort to move students into permanent classroom space as new wings are built. The litigation vote reflects the board's use of executive session when discussing pending court matters.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda (motion by Badgeron, second Desarmo) ' approved by voice vote. Item 3.4 surplus declaration (motion by Edmond, second Lejern) ' approved by voice vote; Superintendent estimated ~116 portable buildings remain. Litigation item 4.1 (motion to accept counsel's recommendation by Hidalgo, second Edmond) ' approved by voice vote.

What's next: The superintendent said the district will phase any removal of portable buildings as wing additions are completed and will return to the board as needed. The board adjourned after routine closing remarks.