Board votes to relocate NJROTC program to Acadiana High after heated public comment
May 15, 2026 | Lafayette Parish, School Boards, Louisiana
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The Lafayette Parish School Board voted to relocate the NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officersducation) program from Como High School to Acadiana High for the 2026-27 school year after a contested public hearing and board discussion.
The motion to move the program was made by Board member Labou and seconded; the board carried the motion on a roll-call vote. Several members framed the decision around program viability and enrollment, saying low academy enrollment at Como risked the program ontinuing. "I will support it," one board member said, arguing the program would be jeopardized if the transfer was canceled.
Community speakers opposed relocation. Sarah Bennett said the move continued a pattern of removing key programs from Como and eroding trust: "This community is tired of watching opportunities be taken away from a school that continues to fight to survive," she told the board, asking members to keep NJROTC at Como. Jessica Wells raised health and facilities concerns and questioned why the district buys land while building maintenance needs remain: "How do we find money for all new things but cannot take care of what we have?" she asked during public comment.
Board members and staff debated enrollment metrics and program definitions. Board members and district staff distinguished "academy" students (12 currently enrolled at Como) from elective students (105 who take NJROTC as an elective), and explained that only academy slots are automatically grandfathered and offered transportation in a transfer. Board member Labou said the Navy had been notified of the district
pplication to relocate and that the service's unit letter supported the move, warning that canceling the request could place the unit
t risk.
Supporters on the board argued facilities at Acadiana were comparable and the move would preserve the program. Opponents contended the transfer would further reduce Como's enrollment and strip opportunities from that campus.
The board recorded the motion as carried on the roll call reflected in the public record. The board did not specify interim implementation dates in the meeting; board staff said magnet-academy students would be grandfathered and that transportation would be provided for magnet students who opt to follow the program.
Next steps noted at the meeting: the district will proceed with its relocation request to the Navy and take procedural steps to implement the transfer for the 2026-27 school year.
The motion to move the program was made by Board member Labou and seconded; the board carried the motion on a roll-call vote. Several members framed the decision around program viability and enrollment, saying low academy enrollment at Como risked the program ontinuing. "I will support it," one board member said, arguing the program would be jeopardized if the transfer was canceled.
Community speakers opposed relocation. Sarah Bennett said the move continued a pattern of removing key programs from Como and eroding trust: "This community is tired of watching opportunities be taken away from a school that continues to fight to survive," she told the board, asking members to keep NJROTC at Como. Jessica Wells raised health and facilities concerns and questioned why the district buys land while building maintenance needs remain: "How do we find money for all new things but cannot take care of what we have?" she asked during public comment.
Board members and staff debated enrollment metrics and program definitions. Board members and district staff distinguished "academy" students (12 currently enrolled at Como) from elective students (105 who take NJROTC as an elective), and explained that only academy slots are automatically grandfathered and offered transportation in a transfer. Board member Labou said the Navy had been notified of the district
pplication to relocate and that the service's unit letter supported the move, warning that canceling the request could place the unit
t risk.
Supporters on the board argued facilities at Acadiana were comparable and the move would preserve the program. Opponents contended the transfer would further reduce Como's enrollment and strip opportunities from that campus.
The board recorded the motion as carried on the roll call reflected in the public record. The board did not specify interim implementation dates in the meeting; board staff said magnet-academy students would be grandfathered and that transportation would be provided for magnet students who opt to follow the program.
Next steps noted at the meeting: the district will proceed with its relocation request to the Navy and take procedural steps to implement the transfer for the 2026-27 school year.
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