Lafayette, LA (January 23, 2025) – All Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) sites will remain closed on Friday, January 24, due to the continued impacts of this week’s extreme cold weather. Several key factors contributed to this decision:
- Water Conservation Requests: Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) and other providers have requested that customers conserve water while temperatures remain below freezing at night.
- Boil Advisories: Boil water advisories have been issued for several areas, affecting a number of LPSS schools.
- Campus Inspections: The LPSS Facilities team, along with custodians and administrators, must inspect approximately 50 sites across Lafayette Parish. Ensuring their safety while traveling and providing sufficient time for thorough assessments is a top priority.
- Roadway Conditions: Water left on roads may refreeze Thursday night, creating unsafe travel conditions for buses and staff vehicles. Local officials have cautioned that travel on neighborhood roads will likely still be dangerous.
Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr., explained the decision to delay reopening schools:
“Delaying the reopening of schools will give our teams the opportunity to not only identify but address any issues that this week’s extremely cold temperatures caused. We also don’t want to put more strain on local water systems. I urge everyone to be ready to get back to the classroom on Monday so we can resume instruction and ensure students’ success.”
LPSS leaders appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as they work to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. Any necessary updates will be provided through the LPSS website, social media, and the J-Campus app.
