Board approves consolidation of junior and senior high into single 7–12 campus

The St. Landry Parish School Board voted March 5 to merge a junior high and a senior high into a single 7–12 campus beginning with the 2026–27 school year.

Board members approved the motion that designates the consolidated campus as Appalooia Senior High School after a lengthy public discussion about student support, local control and transition planning. The motion was introduced as "to merge a junior high school and a senior high school into a single consolidated school serving grades 7 through 12 operating under the administration and sites code designation of Appalooia Senior High School effective beginning with the 2026–2027 school year" and was carried by voice vote.

Why it mattered: supporters said consolidation preserves local control and funding that could be lost under a recovery school district or state takeover, while opponents and concerned speakers warned the transition would be disruptive for students and staff. Multiple speakers asked for concrete planning, summer bridge programming and continued committee updates during implementation.

Discussion highlights: Board members and community commenters repeatedly framed the decision as preferable to state intervention. One board member said the options were either consolidation or potential takeover by a recovery district and urged the board to "give our staff, our superintendent, and everyone else in the community who's willing to work with us a chance to make a difference for our children." The board discussed forming committees and scheduling meetings to draft transition details and to keep the public informed.

Higher-education partnership: Dr. Sorson, introduced in the meeting as chancellor of LSU, told the board the university system had reached out and expressed interest in partnering on summer bridge programs, dual-enrollment options and faculty support. "We would be happy to partner with you with the faculty and the staff and to help strengthen things for those students," Dr. Sorson said.

What the board approved: the motion as presented in open session; the transcript records the motion, a second and a voice vote in which the chair called for any opposed and none registered. The motion carries and the board indicated it will follow with planning meetings and committee updates.

Votes at a glance (other formal actions at the March 5 meeting): the board approved the fiscal year 2024–25 audit (clean/unmodified opinion), authorized a series of informational financial workshops with the legislative auditor, approved $200 in travel assistance for a JAG student to a national competition in Salt Lake City, and adopted Academic Calendar Option A for 2026–27.

Procedural next steps: board members said they will schedule committee meetings to develop logistics—including summer bridge programs, staffing and transportation—and will provide updates to the full board and the public. No detailed implementation timeline or budget allocations for the consolidation were specified in the recorded discussion; board members asked staff to return with plans.