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St. Landry board approves merger of junior and senior high into single 7–12 campus
Summary
The St. Landry Parish School Board voted to consolidate Abaloo Junior High and Appalooia Senior High into a single 7–12 school for the 2026–27 year, a move board members framed as preferable to a state takeover and one bolstered by an offered LSU partnership for summer bridge programs and dual-enrollment support.
The St. Landry Parish School Board voted to merge Abaloo Junior High and Appalooia Senior High into a single school serving grades 7 through 12, effective with the 2026–27 school year.
Board member Bill (first name not specified in the transcript) told the board the district faced two options for the underperforming junior high: consolidate the campuses or risk loss of control to the state's Recovery School District. "We're basically faced with two options for our blue junior high," he said, arguing consolidation would let the parish keep local control while allowing staff and partners to support a transition.
The board discussed supports tied to the plan. Dr. Sorenson, identified in the meeting as a chancellor with LSU, told the board the university was willing to partner with the district on programs such as summer bridge courses and dual-enrollment opportunities for students, and to provide faculty collaboration. "We would be happy to partner with you with the faculty and the staff and to help strengthen things for those students," she said.
Supporters emphasized the consolidation was intended to avoid a state takeover and to expand opportunities for students, including access to extracurriculars and potential Carnegie-unit coursework at the consolidated campus. Several speakers urged the board to include transition planning (summer bridge programs, wraparound supports and frequent committee updates) and to allow interested board members to observe planning meetings.
The motion to consolidate was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by voice vote. The board directed administrators to develop implementation details and to provide updates to the board and the public.
Next steps include committee planning for the transition, development of a summer bridge program and follow-up with LSU representatives on dual-enrollment and faculty collaboration. The board said it will provide periodic public updates as planning proceeds.
