The Lafayette Parish School System is pleased to announce the appointment of several leadership positions throughout the district.
Mr. Francis Touchet
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Following the retirement of Superintendent Irma Duplechain Trosclair, the Lafayette Parish School Board appointed Mr. Francis Touchet, Jr. to serve as interim superintendent of schools. Touchet’s dedication to education and leadership experience will help maintain the district's commitment to providing a high quality education to the students of Lafayette Parish.
Touchet began his career in the field of education in Vermilion Parish where he taught science and coached football and track after earning his bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1991. In 1998, he earned his master’s degree in education administration from McNeese State University, furthering his education by earning an additional 30+ graduate hours. Throughout his career, Touchet has held various administrative positions including assistant principal of Abbeville High School followed by assistant principal then principal of Erath High School. In 2012, he began collaborating with over 40 LEA's throughout Louisiana on academic initiatives with the Louisiana Department of Education.
In 2019, he became the associate superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School system where he worked to move the district forward on its "Pathway to an A.”
Dr. Mark Rabalais
Associate Superintendent
Dr. Mark Rabalais brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of associate superintendent. Rabalais has been a public educator for 18 years. He started his career as a social studies teacher at Pineville High School where he also coached football and golf. His administrative experience began in Lafayette Parish when he served as an assistant principal at Ernest Gallet Elementary School, principal of Ridge Elementary School, and assistant principal of Southside High School.
In addition, he has served as an adjunct instructor at Northwestern State University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the College of Education to facilitate learning for students earning a degree in educational leadership.
On the district level Dr. Rabalais’ awards and achievements include a 21st Century Classroom Grant from Rapides Parish and he was named the 2010 Pineville High School Teacher of the Year. Since being in Lafayette Parish, he received a 2012 and 2013 LEF school-wide grant for Leader in Me implementation.
Also with LPSS, he has been selected as a participant for the Louisiana Principal Fellowship program (NISL) and was a 2015 Top 5 LEF Finalist for the Pugh Innovative Technology Grant. In 2015-16, his school was a recipient of an LAA+ arts integration school-wide initiative grant in partnership with Chevron and the Rodrigue Foundation.
As a state educator, Dr. Rabalais has been recognized in Louisiana as the LACUE 2011 Region IV Teacher of the Year and was named LACUE 2011 State Winner for Secondary School Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Rabalais earned his National Board Certified Teacher status from the NBPTS in 2013. In 2011, he earned the PBS Innovative Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed to twenty teachers nationwide. Other national achievements and recognitions include a 2012 Top 25 Finalist for Discovery Education Impact Costa Rica and he accepted a proposal for the Global Childhood Summit held in Washington D.C.
Most recently, Dr. Rabalais was selected to participate in the Louisiana School Boards Association Level Up League for Aspiring Superintendents. He completed the year-long program in May of 2023. Over the past four years, Dr. Rabalais has been proud to serve as a district leader. The roles served include chief academic officer from 2019-2021 and since 2021 he has been assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. When asked about his recent appointment Rabalais stated, ”I am truly grateful to serve the many talented students and employees that represent our school system and will continue to make every effort for LPSS to stay on the “Pathway to an A.”
Dr. Rabalais holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership at Northwestern State University. He earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership at UL—Lafayette.
Ms. Janine LaFleur
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Stepping in as lead of the district’s instructional team is Ms. Janine LaFleur. Ms. LaFleur began her career as a science teacher and softball and volleyball coach at Acadiana High School. She then taught at Paul Breaux Middle School for 10 years as a science and physical education teacher. While at Paul Breaux she earned the honor of Teacher of The Year.
She then served as an assistant principal and then principal of S. J. Montgomery Elementary School. During her time as principal, the school moved its performance score up 19.6 points and LaFleur was named LPSS Elementary Principal of the Year.
At the district level she has served as an academic specialist for social studies, health and physical education, and English language arts. For the past 4 years LaFleur has served as the Director of Elementary Schools.
LaFleur holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s in education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In addition, Lafleur completed the Louisiana Principal Fellowship program (NISL).
“I am honored and humbled to serve the Lafayette Parish School System in this capacity. Interim Superintendent Touchet is a strong academic leader that will continue to move our district in a positive direction. We are very fortunate to have such focused school leaders and teachers that work every day to keep the focus on students and their success,” states LaFleur.
Ms. Ginger Richard
Directory of Elementary Schools
Ms. Ginger Richard has been an educator with the Lafayette Parish School System for 20 years. She most recently served as the supervisor of language acquisition overseeing the district’s immersion, world
language, and ESL programs. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Richard began her career at Ridge Elementary School where she taught first grade before becoming an ESL teacher.
After receiving her master’s degree in educational leadership, she went on to serve in many capacities including lead teacher and instructional leader at Milton Elementary Middle School and assistant principal of Green T. Lindon Elementary School.
While serving as principal of Green T. Lindon Elementary School, Richard was recognized as a semifinalist for the Louisiana Principal of the Year while also being selected as the 2021 Lafayette Parish Elementary Principal of the Year.
Ms. Allison Bloomer
Principal of Southside High School
Ms. Allison Bloomer has been selected to serve as the next principal of Southside High School. Bloomer has served as a teacher at Youngsville Middle School, an instructional leader at Scott Middle School, and assistant principal of Southside High School.
Bloomer states that she is “committed to maintaining a growth mindset and is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of students and educators.”
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education. In 2015, Bloomer was named Lafayette Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Gerald Comeaux
Principal of Ovey Comeaux High School
Louisiana National Guard retired Command Sergeant Major and educator Gerald Comeaux will serve as the next principal of Ovey Comeaux High School. Mr. Comeaux stepped in as leader of the school following Ms. Renee White’s transfer to leader of Edward J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette.
Comeaux began his career in education in 1994 where he taught and coached at Jeanerette Middle School and Centerville High School. In 2011, Comeaux moved to Lafayette Parish where he taught at Lafayette High School, as well as served as an assistant principal at Lafayette High School and Ovey Comeaux High School.
“I am honored for the opportunity to work with and lead the faculty and staff of Ovey Comeaux High School. My goal is to create a safe and positive learning environment for all students and staff,” states Comeaux.
Comeaux earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and completed his master’s degree in leadership and supervision from Nicholls State University. He also earned a specialist degree in leadership from the American College of Education.