LAFAYETTE, LA (April 9, 2025) – The Lafayette Parish School Board will meet in regular session Thursday at 5:00 PM, with a special budget session beginning at 4:00 PM. Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. is highlighting two notable items on the agenda that reflect his ongoing commitment to supporting educators and improving student outcomes.
Informational Item 2.2: Teacher Salary & Incentive Pay Proposal
Superintendent Touchet will introduce a proposed teacher salary and incentive pay package to the Board. This two-pronged plan includes:
- Raising the starting teacher salary to $50,000 per year.
- Increasing compensation across the certified educator salary schedule.
- Introducing incentive pay for education staff who take on responsibilities beyond their regular duties and whose work results in improved student achievement.
“Teacher pay should be commensurate with the responsibility they shoulder,” said Superintendent Touchet. “Raising their pay and rewarding them for their success underscores our belief that student success is driven by what happens in the classroom every day. I’ve implemented budget and staffing cuts at both the district and school levels to cover the cost of the package. None of the cuts we’ve made will impact the opportunity for students to learn.”
The Superintendent will present the package at Thursday’s meeting. He will hold informational sessions for teachers next week to explain the plan in further detail before the Board votes on the recommendation at its May meeting.
Consent Agenda Item 3.11: Adjusted Bell Times for 2025-26
The Board will consider approving adjusted school start and end times beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The proposed schedule is as follows:
- High Schools (including ECA): 7:05 AM – 2:35 PM
- David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy: 7:15 AM – 2:45 PM
- Middle Schools: 7:15 AM – 2:30 PM
- Elementary Schools (including Milton, excluding ACE): 8:10 AM – 3:25 PM
- ACE Schools (Boucher, Baranco, J.W. Faulk): 7:50 AM – 3:35 PM
- Truman and Drexel Early Childhood Centers: 8:20 AM – 3:20 PM
“I proposed the adjusted bell schedule in order to get students home sooner,” said Touchet. “The ultimate goal is to have the majority of our buses off the road by 4:30 PM, which will, in turn, minimize safety concerns for both our drivers and students.”
The regular board meeting will be held at the LPSS Central Office, beginning at 5:00 PM, immediately following a special session at 4:00 PM to review Fiscal Year 2026 budget items.
