Board approves consent agenda including bus purchases and millage resolutions

The Lafayette Parish School Board approved the consent agenda that included a range of administrative and fiscal items: amendments to the teacher pay plan, adding MAP Design Group LLC to the approved firms list for construction and facilities, several fund transfers and early-obligation actions for school bus purchases, redemption of limited tax revenues, and adoption of millage rates for 2026.

Board staff reported an early-obligation and release of funds request to purchase school buses for the 2026-27 school year. The transcript references a general-fund obligation of $860,000 for bus purchases and a separate computation that will result in an interest payment of $648.87 to eligible employees as a sales-tax interest distribution.

Board member Lachelet moved to approve the consent agenda (with two pulled items); the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. Items pulled for discussion included the planned relocation of the NJROTC program (3.2) and another item later considered separately.

Public commenters used the consent discussion to press the board on maintenance and repair needs at existing campuses, arguing funds seemed to be available for new purchases while HVAC and pest problems remain at some schools. "How do we find money for all new things but cannot take care of what we have?" one commenter asked.

The board approved minutes for prior meetings and authorized staff to proceed with the listed purchases and fund transfers. Specific implementation details, including timelines for bus delivery and schedules for millage implementation, were not specified during the meeting and will be administered by district finance and facilities staff.