Lafayette Parish School Board Member Josh Edmond surprised Lafayette Parish School System maintenance employees Wednesday morning with new jackets designed to keep them warm while working outdoors during colder weather.
Edmond said the idea came from seeing maintenance staff addressing physical plant needs at LPSS schools in cold, windy, and sometimes wet conditions.
“These are the employees who make sure our schools are safe, functional, and ready for students and staff every day,” Edmond said. “A lot of their work happens outside, even when the weather isn’t ideal, and this was a small way to support them.”
The windbreakers are lightweight and intended to be worn over thicker clothing, such as sweatshirts, to help block wind and provide added insulation without restricting movement on the job.
The initiative was made possible through a partnership with Love Our Schools and The Pugh Foundation. In a letter included with the jackets, Love Our Schools thanked the maintenance team and acknowledged the vital role they play in supporting students and faculty across the district.
“Our schools could not function without your dedication and hard work,” the letter stated, recognizing the behind-the-scenes efforts that help create safe, welcoming learning environments for students throughout Lafayette Parish.
The jackets serve as both a practical gift and a visible reminder of the community’s appreciation for LPSS maintenance employees and the essential work they do every day.
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