Facing a drop in student enrollment, the Lafayette Parish School System said it is preparing to implement a Reduction-In-Force (RIF), district leaders announced during the Lafayette Parish School Board’s February meeting.
Officials said the move comes after enrollment declined by roughly 800 students compared to this time last year, creating potential budget and staffing challenges.
According to the Lafayette Parish School Board (LPSB), an RIF is used when circumstances may necessitate a reduction in personnel. LPSB Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. said that as of Feb. 1 this year, compared to Feb. 1 last year, there were 800 fewer students.
“It moved from 600 kids to 800,” Touchet said.
Touchet explained that with 800 kids and $10,000 per student, you can imagine that would create staffing issues. But he reminded the board, teachers and community members that it is not an isolated issue.
The GBNA requires the School Board to authorize the Superintendent to implement the reduction in force and requires that Touchet implement it in accordance with Board policy. Touchet has notified the School Board that a reduction in force of personnel may be necessary.
“This will all work out,” Touchet said. «All of our certified teachers out there, I can assure you that you will have jobs, and plenty of them.”
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LPSB member Britt Latiolais said that through the years, he has voted on this issue, and he has seen it misunderstood by many.
“So hopefully next year and 10 years from now, when this is on the agenda, it won’t cause so much anxiety,” Latiolais said. “We’re not looking to lay anybody off… but you must have this discussion when you go into budget, if it’s needed and it’s necessary. And attrition will take care of whatever needs to be taken care of.”