The Lafayette Parish School Board has approved the construction of a new K-8 school on the north side of Lafayette, marking another major step in a year filled with bold initiatives to make Lafayette Parish schools the best choice for students and families.
The initiative, led by District 4 Board Member Amy Trahan and co-sponsored by District 3 Board Member Josh Edmond, will create a modern community school on land behind J. W. Faulk Elementary. The new facility will merge student populations from Faulk Elementary, Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary, and Paul Breaux Middle School into one state-of-the-art campus.
Trahan worked closely with Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. to identify funding within the current budget, allowing the district to bond out $50 million for the project.
“We have made significant investments in schools across the district, as was necessary, and it’s time to make a similar investment in the northern part of Lafayette,” said Superintendent Touchet. “For years, families have asked for action to replace facilities in serious disrepair, and this Board listened. This has been a long time coming, and I am beyond excited that families and students will soon have a community school they can be proud of.”
A Year of Major Investments
The approval of the northside school continues a streak of district-wide progress. In just the past year, LPSS has:
- Opened the doors of the new $120 million Lafayette High School, one of the largest investments in the district’s history.
- Raised starting teacher salaries to $50,000, resulting in pay increases for teachers across the system.
- Implemented an educator incentive plan to reward effective teaching and leadership in extracurricular and co-curricular programs.
- Funded major improvements at Acadiana High, L.J. Alleman Middle, and Judice Middle.
- Installed new turf football fields at all high schools and completed a new stadium at Southside High.
All of these initiatives were made possible by Touchet’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, which included reducing unnecessary spending and redirecting funds to projects that directly benefit students and staff.
Aligning with Core Values
Touchet noted that the new northside school reflects the district’s four Core Values: Safety, Culture, Opportunity, and Growth.
“An investment in better facilities directly aligns with safety and culture. Newer campuses are, by design, safer and more inviting for students, staff, and families,” Touchet said.
A Vision for the Future
Touchet credited strong collaboration with the Board as the driving force behind LPSS’s progress.
“A school system governed by a Board is only as productive as the relationship between the Superintendent and Members,” Touchet said. “It is a privilege to work with leaders who share the same vision for Lafayette Parish—ensuring our students have the best opportunities for success. Our kids are what drive us, and every decision we make points toward their growth and achievement.”
Construction on the new northside school will begin immediately, with the goal of opening in time for the 2027-28 school year.