Board approves Eisenhower CPA to audit district financial statements after debate over cost and role of audits
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Summary
After debate about historic audit costs and audit purpose, the board approved awarding financial statement audit services to Eisenhower for multiple fiscal years; members discussed communication issues with prior auditors and potential savings.
The Lafayette Parish School Board voted Jan. 8 to award financial statement audit services to Eisenhower, a local certified public accounting firm, for audits covering fiscal years 2024–25 through 2026–27.
Board member Bridal Lachelet moved to approve Eisenhower as the district’s auditor and noted the motion was supported by a second. The motion was discussed at length after a board member pulled the item for history and context. Superintendent Francis Touchett Jr. said the district sought to reduce contracted costs and confirmed that proposals returned far lower price points than the district’s longstanding six‑month audit arrangement, telling the board the difference would allow “us to give it back to our teachers and we can give it back to our students.”
Other board members voiced differing views. One member warned that audits can produce public findings and called for an audit relationship that includes constructive communication rather than adversarial public disclosure. Another member emphasized the firm’s local presence and capability and expressed confidence in its ability to perform the work.
After discussion the board approved the award by voice vote. The agenda item referenced RFP number 18-26; contract execution and specific engagement terms were not read in detail on the record.
