Lafayette Parish School Board approves one-time attendance incentives, math stipends and new behavior-analyst hires

The Lafayette Parish School Board on Tuesday approved its consent agenda, which included a one-time attendance incentive for classified and certified staff, a midyear recruitment stipend for hard-to-fill math positions and plans to hire district behavior analysts.

The board approved the consent motion moved by Miss Labou and seconded by Mr. Bajoron. No member of the public offered comment on the items before the vote.

Superintendent Francis Touchette described the attendance incentive as a one-time program that will begin Jan. 5 and be subject to later review. "Anyone that has 0 days will get a $1,000. Anybody with 1 or 2 will get 500," he said, adding the program is focused on positions that directly affect daily student attendance and instruction, including bus drivers, paraeducators and teachers. Board members were told the district—s highest estimate for the program cost is about $581,000.

The motion also ratified a $3,000 midyear incentive intended to help fill five algebra I and geometry vacancies districtwide. Touchette said those hired midyear would need to complete the semester to receive the pay and that the incentive is intended to attract candidates outside the district to fill critical openings.

Board members also discussed creating a new district behavior-analyst position to support teachers handling extreme student behaviors. Ginger Richard said the district plans to hire certificated behavior analysts (BCBAs) and suggested three staff members split responsibilities across schools to coach teachers and reduce classroom disruptions.

Board members praised staff and principals during comments after the vote, and President Britt Lachelet thanked the superintendent and central office staff for their work. The approved consent items included other routine matters such as the 2026 board meeting schedule and budget revisions; the board recorded the motion as carried.