Dear Lafayette Parish School Board Members and Superintendent Touchet,

The overwhelming community opposition to the closure of Ovey Comeaux High School—demonstrated by massive turnout, passionate testimony, and widespread public outcry—should have been a clear signal that families, students, alumni, and educators value our neighborhood schools and expect leaders to prioritize them. Yet, despite this strong resistance, the decision proceeded, signaling a troubling disregard for community input and the long-term well-being of students in our parish.

Under Superintendent Francis Touchet’s leadership, LPSS continues to face serious operational and systemic challenges that directly harm students:

•  Frequent bus breakdowns and unreliable transportation leave children waiting in unsafe conditions or missing instructional time.

•  Many school buses and facilities lack proper air conditioning, creating uncomfortable and unproductive learning environments, especially in our hot Louisiana climate.

•  Chronic teacher and staff shortages persist, exacerbated by underpaid educators (with starting salaries only recently reaching $50,000 after years of stagnation) and support staff facing similar issues.

•  Special education (SPED) students are often overlooked, with shortages of qualified personnel leading to inadequate services and support.

•  Valuable special programs have been cut or reduced (e.g., JROTC at Acadiana High, pre-K immersion options, and others), limiting opportunities for students.

These problems contribute to declining enrollment—down nearly 1,000 students in recent years—resulting in lost funding (estimated at $10 million annually) and a cycle where schools deteriorate until closure becomes the “only” option. This pushes families toward charter schools of choice, draining resources from traditional public schools.

At the same time, priorities appear misaligned:

•  Superintendent Touchet received a $65,000 raise in early 2026, bringing his annual salary to $300,000 (plus potential performance stipends up to $354,000 total), along with a contract extension through 2029.

•  This occurred amid reports of an ongoing Louisiana Attorney General public corruption probe into LPSS (including forgery of contractor bids, no-bid contracts worth millions, and related investigations targeting high-level officials).

•  Whistleblower allegations of retaliation against employees cooperating with probes have surfaced, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

•  The district has pursued staff reductions-in-force, budget cuts, and hiring freezes—yet executive compensation increased significantly.

Redirecting even a fraction of these resources—such as the equivalent of a portion of the superintendent’s raise or savings from controversial decisions—could fund critical improvements: reliable buses with AC, competitive teacher pay to reduce shortages, enhanced SPED support, and preservation of programs that keep students engaged and enrolled.

Our students deserve leaders who listen to the community, invest in fixing core issues before resorting to closures, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility that puts classrooms first—not executive perks amid probes and declining performance.

I urge the Board to:

•  Reconsider or delay the Comeaux repurposing and seek true community-driven alternatives.

•  Conduct a transparent review of district priorities, including superintendent compensation and resource allocation.

•  Address the root causes of enrollment loss and facility issues head-on.

The community is watching. We want better for our children—not excuses or more of the same.