Lafayette Parish School System board approves 2026–2027 budget with raises for support staff and bus drivers

The Lafayette Parish School System board approved the proposed 2026–2027 general fund budget at its meeting, adopting an amendment that increases a group of school-based support staff pay and raises bus driver pay. The motion to approve the entire budget summary with the amendment was made by Jeremy Hidalgo and was seconded; the board passed the measure by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript.

The amendment supported by Hidalgo changed the line-33 salary increase for a set of positions from a $1,000 raise to a $1,500 raise. As district staff displayed the budget, Jennifer Gardner opened the document to show the referenced line item. Mr. Touchet clarified that line 33 covers "salary increase to school-based clerks, secretaries, bookkeepers, C print, captionists, paraeducators, proctors, ISS facilitators, LPNs, and bus attendants." Hidalgo introduced the motion saying, "I move that the board approve the proposed 2026-2027 general fund budget summary, projected revenues, expenditures, and cost centers with the following change," and then read the amendment to raise the $1,000 figure to $1,500.

Public commenter Wayne Colvin questioned several budget details, saying he was "real confused" about the attachments and asking where the reported $2 million in savings from closing Como appears in the document. Colvin also asked for clearer detail on the MFP (Minimum Foundation Program) enrollment assumptions and on nearly $500,000 listed for "rents, leases, and royalties." Board member Britt answered that the rents and leases figure represents revenue the district receives (citing property on Ambassador Caffery Ridge Road, including Logan's Steakhouse) and expressed support for the amended pay increases, calling it "kudos to staff for doing a real good job." Josh Adams and other board members also voiced support for the raises.

Board members discussed enrollment uncertainty tied to recent decisions and local charter approvals. Mr. Touchet said enrollment projections will be based on the October 1 student count and noted staff efforts to boost kindergarten and magnet enrollment; he reported "20 kids that are coming from outside of the system to get in a particular magnet" as an example of potential new revenue. A board member said a newly approved charter in Broussard is expected to add a high school with capacity one member described as "probably built for a thousand students," raising concerns about enrollment and fiscal pressures in coming years.

The board also considered and approved an increase noted as line 39 for bus drivers. Members discussed raising the starting number "from 21 to 25" (the transcript records those figures but does not specify units) to place Lafayette Parish among the highest-paid in the region and to help ensure drivers and routes are staffed daily. Mr. Touchet and other board members emphasized recruitment and retention goals tied to the change.

The meeting recorded two formal actions: a voice vote to approve consent items not pulled earlier in the meeting (motion made and seconded; chair called the vote and declared the motion carried) and the voice vote to approve the amended 2026–2027 general fund budget. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or numeric tally, and the name of the second on the Hidalgo motion is not specified in the record.

The meeting adjourned after the votes.