Lafayette Parish School Board approves contract amendment for Superintendent Francis Touchett Jr.
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Summary
The board authorized the president to execute an amended contract extending Superintendent Francis Touchett Jr.'s term and increasing compensation after public comment raised concerns about pay equity and funding sources; the motion passed by voice vote.
The Lafayette Parish School Board voted Jan. 8 to authorize the board president to execute an amended employment contract for Superintendent Francis Touchett Jr., following public comment and extended discussion among board members.
The vote came after a motion to authorize the president to sign the attached contract was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Julie Reed, president of the Lafayette Parish Association of Educators, spoke during public comment: “A school-based educator would have to work decades to achieve a 27% increase,” she said, praising some contract provisions while urging the board to consider equity for lower-paid staff and the impact of staff reorganizations that led to job losses.
The superintendent addressed the board’s fiscal priorities during debate, saying the district sought savings in contracted services in order to “give it back to our teachers and we can give it back to our students.” Multiple board members backed the amendment, citing the district’s size and the need to remain competitive to retain leadership. Board member Bridal Lachelet, who participated in negotiations, framed the change as a retention step for a leader overseeing roughly 28,000–30,000 students and thousands of employees.
Board members also emphasized pay priorities for paraprofessionals, drivers and other support staff. Several members asked that future efforts target salary equity across job categories, and one member noted comparisons with peer districts and municipal budgets to justify the superintendent’s adjusted pay.
The board approved the contract amendment by voice vote and moved on to other agenda items. Next procedural steps were not specified in the public record beyond the president executing the agreement.
