KATC.com

Tagged News

• Investigation Continues at Krotz Springs Elementary

  May 17, 2013 12:07 PM

  The investigation into a substitute teacher allegedly assaulting a student at Krotz Springs Elementary continues today. Krotz Springs Police Chief Norman Mouille tells KATC he has called in another agency to assist in the investigation. Mouille says, "I want to make sure we make the right decision." A... more »

• Louisiana Schools Will Transition to Online Testing Play Video

  April 9, 2013 7:06 PM

  For years, standardized testing has been the same in Louisiana, the Leap and the I-Leap. Soon, those tests will be a thing of the past. The new test, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or "PARCC" will be online. The test is designed to track students'... more »

• Student Teacher Let Go After Speaking Out Play Video

  March 22, 2013 7:54 PM

  A student teacher at Carencro High is looking for a new place to teach so he can complete his degree requirements and graduate in May. Less than 24 hours after Derrick Comeaux spoke up about discipline problems, he was escorted off campus by police. "You need to get... more »

• One School is Taking Discipline Issues to the Courtroom Play Video

  March 7, 2013 6:23 PM

  One Acadiana high school is taking a unique approach to discipline students. Their own peers are deciding how they should be punished. Teen Court is an alternative to school board policy. It keep students in the classroom and avoids school suspension or after school detention. Every Tuesday and... more »

• Questionable Hire Has Past Ties to LPSS Play Video

  March 6, 2013 7:36 PM

  KATC was the first to uncover, Thad Welch was on the payroll before officially being hired as the Superintendent's Special Assistant. In a KATC investigation, we uncovered before Thad Welch got the job as Special Assistant to Superintendent Pat Cooper, without a high school diploma, he worked for the... more »

• Catholic school enrollment drops in Louisiana

  February 25, 2013 8:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - New figures show enrollment in Catholic schools has fallen 18 percent statewide during the past 13 years. Enrollment has dropped 9 percent in the Diocese of Baton Rouge since 2000 and has fallen 25 percent in schools that make up the Archdiocese of New Orleans,... more »

• St. Tammany school board sets bond issue election

  February 22, 2013 9:31 AM

  COVINGTON, La. (AP) - The St. Tammany Parish School Board has called a May 4 election seeking voter approval for a $135 million bond issue and expanding use of some tax money to include employee salaries and benefits. School leaders said the measures are necessary to support teachers in the... more »

• School Resources Officers Work to Make Campuses Safer Play Video

  February 21, 2013 11:33 PM

  We've heard quite a bit about weapons on school campuses in the last few months across the nation and right here in Acadiana. From the start of this school year to last week, 46 weapons have been found on Lafayette Parish school campuses. Twenty-eight of those were weapons like knives... more »

• Scammers looking to profit from Connecticut school shootings

  December 21, 2012 9:41 AM

  As word spilled out about the heartbreaking loss of life resulting from the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., Acadiana residents sought to open their hearts and pocketbooks to help those most affected by the tragedy. But phony charities have also sought to cash in on... more »

• Military Father Surprises Kids with Homecoming at School Play Play Video

  December 20, 2012 11:54 PM

  "Home for the holidays" has a whole new meaning for one Acadiana family, as they are reunited for the first time in months. Master Sergeant Jeremy Bellard has been in Afghanistan since June, and Thursday night his children received the greatest Christmas gift of all: His surprise homecoming. Thursday... more »

• Bullet hits school bus, flying glass scrapes girl

  December 18, 2012 7:44 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New Orleans police say that when a man was shot in the Treme neighborhood, a stray bullet hit a school bus where flying glass injured a girl. Officer Frank Robinson says the man was shot in the hip and leg Monday afternoon. His injuries are not... more »

• LPSB Considers Private Company to Run Alternative Program Play Video

  December 12, 2012 11:26 PM

  The Lafayette Parish School Board discussed the possibility of bringing in a private company to run an alternative program in the parish. The program would be housed in portable buildings on the campus of the new N.P. Moss Preparatory School, however it wouldn't be part of the school. The... more »

• New Vernon school will serve Fort Polk

  December 12, 2012 6:28 AM

  FORT POLK, La. (AP) - The Department of Defense is releasing more than $18 million to the Vernon Parish School Board for a school that will serve military families at Fort Polk. Sen. Mary Landrieu's office says the action announced Tuesday will allow construction to begin on the $20 million... more »

• Lafayette board to consider school projects

  November 27, 2012 9:12 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The Lafayette Parish School Board is set to make a decision on how to spend $30 million in bond money at its Wednesday meeting. A recommendation on how to spend the money included projects to alleviate overcrowding at two Youngsville schools and major building projects and... more »

• Indicted school official attends board meeting

  November 2, 2012 7:39 AM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - A St. Landry Parish School Board member attended his first meeting following his indictment by a federal grand jury last month in a conspiracy to extort money in exchange for his vote for a new school superintendent. Board member Quincy Richard Sr., who was indicted Oct.... more »

• Students returning to renovated BR school

  October 16, 2012 7:27 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Baton Rouge middle school where building and safety problems were reported is about to begin classes again. Students from Crestworth Learning Academy this year have been attending classes at Glen Oaks Middle School after reports of problems at Crestworth such as plumbing pulled form... more »

• Former teacher arrested for theft from school

  October 12, 2012 8:55 AM

  SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - A former teacher at North Caddo High School has been arrested for allegedly stealing $9,000 in materials from the school. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says 42-year-old Rodney Doyle, of Dubberly, was booked Thursday into the Caddo Correctional Center on charges of felony theft. Detective Charles... more »

• Student Captures Bus Driver Allegedly Texting While Driving School Bus Play Video

  September 20, 2012 7:24 PM

  It's an image that has many parents outraged - a school bus driver caught texting while driving a bus full of children. A student in St. Mary Parish took a picture of the bus driver allegedly texting while driving the bus Tuesday morning. The parent called the St. Mary Parish... more »

• Uniform Drive Outfits Nearly 600 Students Play Video

  August 8, 2012 6:22 PM

  Many students this week will head back to school, but some don't have basic needs like school supplies or uniforms. The Salvation Army put together a drive two weeks ago but as KATC's Chris Welty found out, the drive almost did not happen. I'm doing a lot to... more »

• School Replaces Textbooks with iPads

  August 4, 2012 9:57 PM

  Students at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School won't be carrying textbooks this school year. Michelle Chauvin, director of advancement at the school, tells The Daily Star (http://bit.ly/N1vDnE ) that all students will be assigned an iPad, and each iPad will have apps or text files with textbooks on... more »

• School Board Absence Reports, Trahan Fires Back Play Video

  August 2, 2012 11:55 PM

  An update to a story from Wednesday night on Lafayette School Board member Rae Trahan. Trahan fired back at Lafayette paper "The Independent" at Wednesday night's board meeting after she was the cover story, titled "Absent-Minded." The article accused Trahan of in-action and in-difference when it comes to school board... more »

• Sparks Fly at LPSB, Trahan Defends Herself Against Accusations Play Video

  August 1, 2012 11:34 PM

  Sparks flew at Wednesday night's Lafayette Parish School Board meeting. Board member Rae Trahan (District 9) fired back at Lafayette newspaper, "The Indpendent" after it ran an article called "Absent Minded." The cover story accused Trahan of not participating in school board business and not supporting schools in her district,... more »

• St. Helena school to stay under state control

  July 31, 2012 8:41 AM

  GREENBURG, La. (AP) - A federal district judge says he has the authority to transfer the state-run St. Helena Central Middle School back into local school board control but he's not going to do so right now. The Advocate reports St. Helena Parish school system officials argued that the district's... more »

• FANO opens flight school in Natchitoches

  July 30, 2012 9:45 AM

  NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) - The Natchitoches Regional Airport will hold a grand opening Thursday for a new flight school to be operated by Flight Academy of New Orleans. Airport Manager Larry Cooper tells the Times that the Federal Aviation Administration approved school will be in the hangar formerly occupied by... more »

• New elementary school planned for Fort Polk

  July 23, 2012 6:58 AM

  LEESVILLE, La. (AP) - A new elementary school will be built just outside Fort Polk. The Town Talk reports the new $20 million South Polk Elementary School will be built with mostly federal funds. Officials say the school will ease crowding and improve conditions at the two elementary schools that... more »

• Orleans Parish School Board to lay off 21

  July 13, 2012 7:35 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Orleans Parish School Board plans to lay off nearly two dozen employees, largely because of a drop in federal funding for low-income students and those with special needs. The Times-Picayune reported the list of staff losing their jobs includes four teachers. Interim Superintendent Stan Smith,... more »

• Back to the Drawing Board for Lafayette Schools' Master Facilities Plan Play Video

  July 11, 2012 11:27 PM

  It's back to the drawing board for Lafayette Parish schools' Master Facilities Plan, after some school board members and the superintendent want to change what was already in place. The Master Facilities Plan was created a few years ago under the previous superintendent and administration. The board spent about... more »

• Calcasieu Board Says No to Charter Transportation

  July 11, 2012 10:29 AM

  The Calcasieu Parish School Board has denied a request to provide transportation to two charter schools for the 2012-2013 school year. The Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation has requested a partnership involving Lake Charles Charter Academy, Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy, and the district regarding transportation. The foundation says the law... more »

• Police: Last hostage at French school released

  July 10, 2012 6:00 AM

  PARIS (AP) - Police say an armed man who took hostages Tuesday morning at a school complex has released the last one unhurt. A police official said the hostage-taker was still inside the complex, which includes nursery and elementary schools. He said the last hostage had "no injuries." Children initially... more »

• St. John School superintendent resigns

  July 6, 2012 9:11 AM

  EDGARD, La. (AP) - St. John the Baptist Parish schools Superintendent Courtney Millet will be leaving her post next week. The Times-Picayune reports Millet announced on Thursday that her last day with the district will be July 12. Millet said she will be accepting a position as director of instruction... more »

• Panels plan for Zachary school chief search

  July 6, 2012 7:36 AM

  ZACHARY, La. (AP) - The Zachary Community School District's Executive Committee has decided the school board should appoint three committees to work out the details of searching for a new superintendent. The Advocate reports Superintendent Warren Drake announced last week he plans to leave Sept. 4 to take a new... more »

• Opelousas Catholic Student Fights Brain Tumor, Community Gives Support Play Video

  June 22, 2012 11:22 PM

  Opelousas Catholic School, already experiencing a difficult year after two other teens died in a car accident, once again bonds together to help another student. 15-year-old Meghan Briley is a sophomore and runs track at Opelousas Catholic. One of three triplets, her sisters said you can always tell her... more »

• Jindal Vetoes Public School Donation Tax Break

  June 9, 2012 8:57 PM

  Gov. Bobby Jindal has vetoed a bill that would have created a tax rebate for donations to public schools. House Bill 1106 would have created a tax rebate for those who give to low-performing schools. The size of the rebate would have depended on the school's performance grade. Jindal wrote... more »

• School gets 315 state vouchers, needs more room

  May 29, 2012 6:04 AM

  RUSTON, La. (AP) - A church-affiliated school in north Louisiana has been approved to accept 315 students as part of the state's scholarship program, but the school doesn't currently have the facilities or teachers to accommodate that many students. New Living Word School in Ruston had 122 students last year.... more »

• NP Moss Opportunity School Will House All Alternative Programs Play Video

  May 21, 2012 7:24 PM

  All of Lafayette Parish School's alternative programs will soon be on a single campus. It's the latest installment of the new superintendent's turnaround plan. The old NP Moss Annex will be the new NP Moss Opportunity School. "It's an opportunity for a second chance to do well and to... more »

• Downsville parents seek charter school

  May 21, 2012 9:35 AM

  DOWNSVILLE, La. (AP) - Parents in Downsville say they want to preserve their community school and they are willing to charter the school to ensure they do. The News-Star reports the Union Parish School Board recently accepted an application for Downsville Charter School which would create a kindergarten through 12th... more »

• LPSB Approves NP Moss Renovation, Considers Reconstituting Northside

  May 16, 2012 11:57 PM

  Lafayette Parish School Board took up two controversial issues Wednesday night as part of its turn around plan. The board moved forward with plans to renovated the NP Moss Opportunity School, formerly the NP Moss Annex. The renovations will cost roughly $3.5 million and will be completed over the... more »

• Iberville school chief suggests new starting times

  May 15, 2012 9:06 AM

  PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP) - Iberville Parish School Superintendent Ed Cancienne has proposed a plan to reverse start times of the district's elementary and high school students in the upcoming school year. The Advocate reportsplan got a lukewarm reception from school board members Monday night. Cancienne told the board he wants... more »

• School Board Moves Forward with Controversial Contract to Harvest Cypress Trees Play Video

  May 9, 2012 7:11 PM

  A St. Martin Parish School Board contract to harvest cypress trees in the Atchafalaya Basin is under fire. The board agreed to sell its timber rights for $98,500 to Good Hope Inc. earlier this year. The school board owns 640 acres in the basin and it plans to allow timber... more »

• St. Mary Parish plans virtual school

  May 8, 2012 7:49 AM

  FRANKLIN, La. (AP) - The St. Mary Parish school system plans to open a new virtual school in August as a way to draw home school students back into the school system. The Advocate reports the virtual school would enroll students in grades 6-12 and is open to any student... more »

• Jindal signs private school tuition tax break

  May 8, 2012 6:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed into law a bill that creates a new tax break program that will give rebates for donations to voucher programs that allow students to attend private schools. Jindal says it will give children in failing public schools more opportunities to... more »

• Community Rallies Together to Revitalize Northside High Play Video

  May 6, 2012 12:11 PM

  Lafayette's Northside High School has been in the news a lot lately. It's been the target of numerous reforms by the Lafayette Parish School Board and Saturday, students and alumni took a bite at bringing about positive change. One poboy at a time, this group is cooking to boost the... more »

• Relatives Sue School Over Girl's Hanging Death

  May 5, 2012 1:44 PM

  Two women are suing a Louisiana school because they say officials didn't stop persistent bullying that led the girl to hang herself from the football bleachers in March. The Advocate reports that ( http://bit.ly/KyFNGu ) the lawsuit was filed Thursday by relatives of 17-year-old Tesa Middlebrook, a Pointe Coupee Central... more »

• School Board Approves Re-Organization Plan 5-4

  May 2, 2012 10:44 PM

  An overhaul of the Lafayette Parish School Board central office is currently in the works. Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper said at Wednesday night's meeting that he's "not playing games" with his turn around plan. Part of that plan, re-organizing the central office, passed with a 5-4 vote. Some of the... more »

• Lafayette School Board Approves Turnaround Plan Play Video

  April 19, 2012 12:26 AM

  By a vote of 5 to 3, the Lafayette Parish School Board approved the so-called 'Turnaround Plan' for the school system. Through changes to academics, health/wellness, facilities & maintenance the goal is to bring the school system from its current 'C-rating' with The Department of Education to an 'A-rating' over... more »

• School cuts approved by Tangipahoa board

  April 18, 2012 7:27 AM

  AMITE, La. (AP) - The Tangipahoa Parish School Board has approved the continuation of a package of one-year cuts that should save the system $2 million during 2012-13. The Advocate reports the cuts include suspending professional leaves, most medical leaves and not awarding annual pay increases known as step raises.... more »

• SLP School Board Plans for Reduction in Force Play Video

  April 16, 2012 7:55 PM

  A $3.9 million deficit still looms over the St. Landry Parish School Board. In order to fill that gap administrators are putting together a Reduction In Force (RIF) plan. Interim Superintendent Joseph Cassmere will present the RIF plan to the school board Tuesday afternoon. Increased tax revenue and $800,000... more »

• Rapides Parish owed $70,000 for school meals

  April 11, 2012 7:36 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - Rapides Parish School Board members continue to track money owed to the district by students and employees who have charged for meals. At Tuesday's meeting, The Town Talk reports Erma Davis, head of the district's Food and Nutrition Services, told board members that the district is... more »

• Roughly 200 Gather for Opelousas Teens' Rosary Play Video

  April 6, 2012 11:56 PM

  Opelousas Catholic School students Sarah Jarrell and Morgan Adams remain at Lafayette General Medical Center in critical condition as of late Friday night. They were seriously injured in a car crash Thursday on Highway 182 near Montgomery Road. Despite unconfirmed reports on the girls' conditions, LGMC hospital officials said... more »

• Caddo School Board may hit budget reserves

  April 6, 2012 11:10 AM

  SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - Caddo Parish School District officials are recommending the use of $6.2 million in surplus funds to balance the 2012-2013 budget. The recommendation comes after parents expressed unhappiness with scheduling changes designed to save about $7 million. The Times reports that not all board members are happy... more »

• Final passage of school package may be near

  April 5, 2012 11:23 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La (AP) - The Louisiana House is expected to soon take up Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed makeover of Louisiana public education. The bills toughen teacher tenure requirements, establish a statewide voucher program for private school tuition and make many other changes to public education. They won the Senate's... more »

• Trial date set for Allen school board member

  April 4, 2012 10:57 AM

  OBERLIN, La. (AP) - A July 16 trial date has been set for an Allen Parish School Board member accused of stealing more than $2,100 from an area casino where he worked. The American Press reports 46-year-old Keith Welch of Oakdale pleaded not guilty last April. He was arrested on... more »

• Baker school health service approved

  April 4, 2012 10:54 AM

  BAKER, La. (AP) - The Baker School Board has voted to employ Health Care First LLC to provide student health services within the school system. During Tuesday's 20-minute debate, board member Troy Watson expressed concern about how the health services would be paid for and how the company's billing practices... more »

• School panel votes to renew teacher cuts

  April 4, 2012 10:39 AM

  AMITE, La. (AP) - The Tangipahoa Parish School Board Finance Committee has voted to renew for the 2012-13 fiscal year cuts to teacher benefits set to expire June 30. Tuesday's vote means that school system administrators can include the cuts in projections for the 2012-13 fiscal year, which begins July... more »

• Sale price drops on former Vacherie school site

  March 29, 2012 10:27 AM

  LUTCHER, La. (AP) - The St. James Parish School Board decided to cut the sale price of the former Vacherie Primary School site by 20 percent after the appraised value failed to attract any bidders. The Advocate report the board also gave the school administration authority to reduce the price... more »

• La. House approves private school tax rebate

  March 28, 2012 6:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana House backed a proposal Tuesday to give a dollar-for-dollar state tax rebate to people who donate money to nonprofits that give scholarships to help students attend private and parochial schools. The proposal by Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, is part of Gov. Bobby... more »

• School system avoids state takeover

  March 27, 2012 9:50 AM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - The Fiscal Review Committee has decided the state will continue to monitor the St. Landry Parish School System's finances, but it will not appoint a state fiscal adviser to take control of the situation. The Daily World reports the committee was satisfied with the school board's... more »

• Louisiana House of Representatives Passes Expansive School Voucher Program

  March 23, 2012 10:27 AM

  Press Release - Louisiana Federation for Children Baton Rouge, La. - In a huge victory for families in Louisiana, the state House of Representatives last night passed a comprehensive school choice bill that aims to create a statewide expansion of the current New Orleans voucher program and provide additional... more »

• Update: School Closures

  March 21, 2012 5:26 AM

  LAFAYETTE PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. ACADIA PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. JEFF DAVIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. ST MARTIN PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. IBERIA PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED VERMILION PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED ST LANDRY PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. All St. Landry Parish public schools... more »

• E. Baton Rouge school board to send layoff notices

  March 16, 2012 9:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish school system is sending its 6,000-plus employees a letter letting them know they could be laid off to balance the system's books. The Advocate reports the school board approved a resolution Thursday invoking its Reduction In Force policy. The Reduction... more »

• Air conditioner trouble shuts school for a day

  March 16, 2012 9:07 AM

  CLINTON, La. (AP) - Air conditioner trouble sent some classes outdoors at East Feliciana Middle School. And school district official Knight Roddy tells The Advocate that the middle school in Clinton will be closed Friday while mechanics work on the problem. All other East Feliciana Parish schools remain open. The... more »

• Air conditioner trouble shuts school for a day

  March 16, 2012 8:58 AM

  CLINTON, La. (AP) - Air conditioner trouble sent some classes outdoors at East Feliciana Middle School. And school district official Knight Roddy tells The Advocate that the middle school in Clinton will be closed Friday while mechanics work on the problem. All other East Feliciana Parish schools remain open. The... more »

• Proposal to reduce Lafourche school board fails

  March 15, 2012 9:04 AM

  THIBODAUX, La. (AP) - A proposal to reduce the Lafourche Parish School Board's membership from 15 to nine failed within minutes after its introduction. The suggestion arose Tuesday as a committee discussed plans to redraw the board's voting districts, a process that happens every 10 years to account for population... more »

• Update: Crowley School Closures

  March 9, 2012 9:08 AM

  Redemptorist Catholic in Crowley has been closed for the day. Acadia Superintendent John Bourque says students in Crowley public schools who are absent WILL BE excused. Those who are already at school will be kept safe until they make a decision about all schools. The issue is with contacting the... more »

• Bids sought on Ascension primary school

  March 8, 2012 10:23 AM

  DONALDSONVILLE, La. (AP) - The Ascension Parish School Board has voted to advertise for bids on a project to replace the aging George Washington Carver Primary School in Gonzales. The Advocate reports the board unanimously approved the consent agenda item for the Carver project at Tuesday night's meeting. Chad Lynch,... more »

• Northside HS Coach Keeps Job After "Bump" Allegations Play Video

  March 6, 2012 7:17 PM

  Northside High School Coach Tawanna Williams testified in her own defense Monday at an administrative hearing at the school board, after being accused of simple battery against a student. Police arrested Williams at school in May 2011, after a student accused her of intentionally bumping into her on campus.... more »

• Student arrested with gun at school

  March 6, 2012 7:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputies have arrested a McKinley High School student for having a gun and drugs on campus. Sheriff's office spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks tells The Advocate the 10th-grader was arrested Monday. Hicks says a deputy found a loaded handgun and a... more »

• Long Time Vidrine Elem. School Janitor Dies in School Fire Play Video

  March 5, 2012 6:34 PM

  The small community of Vidrine is dealing with the death of a long-time elementary school employee, 58-year-old Donald Thomas. Firefighters said Thomas died in an early morning fire, after being trapped inside of the school's storage supply building. The building also serves as the break room and bathroom for the... more »

• Charter School Gets Enrollment Process Underway Play Video

  March 2, 2012 10:42 PM

  The new charter school in St. Landry Parish, J.S. Clark Leadership Academy, got the ball rolling Friday night, with one of its first meetings for parents that focused on enrollment. "I am so interested and so ready for this charter school to start, it's a long time coming," said... more »

• St. Landry Teachers Worry Their Jobs are On the Line Play Video

  February 27, 2012 11:20 PM

  A $3.9 million budget deficit still looming over the St. Landry Parish School Board. The Board and various committees held three meetings on Monday to address some of the issues pertaining to the budget and impending cuts. With such a deep budget gap, Interim Superintendent Donnie Perron said employee... more »

• School Board Holds Hearing for NHS Teacher Accused of Simple Battery Play Video

  February 16, 2012 12:18 AM

  A Lafayette Parish School teacher, accused of simple battery, went before the School Board Wednesday night in a hearing. The teacher is Northside High School Coach Tawana Williams. In May of 2011, a student accused Williams of intentionally and forcefully bumping into her while walking on campus. The School Board... more »

• St. Landry United Coalition of Educators Allege Severe Spending Issues Play Video

  February 14, 2012 12:51 AM

  At a public forum Monday night, the St. Landry United Coalition of Educators (SLUCE) outlined what representatives called wasteful spending and mismanagement of funds by the St. Landry Parish School Board. As we've been reporting for several months, the board is facing a nearly $4-million budget shortfall this year... more »

• 2 students arrested over gun at school

  February 10, 2012 10:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputies say two Broadmoor Middle School students were arrested after an unloaded gun was found at school. Casey Rayborn Hicks, a sheriff's office spokeswoman, an unnamed student reported seeing two other students with a gun at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Hicks... more »

• Lafayette Mom Helping Children Who Don't Have Lunch Money Play Video

  February 8, 2012 6:27 PM

  Almost every day children go to Lafayette Parish Schools without lunch money, but one mom is on a mission to make sure no child goes without school lunch ever again. Cerissa Couvillion said all it took was eating lunch with her daughter at school one afternoon to realize something... more »

• Administrators Hit the Ground Running in NHS Turnaround Play Video

  February 2, 2012 11:25 PM

  Lafayette School Board members and administrators hit the ground running Thursday at Northside High School, just a day after passage of a plan to revamp the school and turn around its failing academic status. With a new face leading the school, there's a new way of doing things at... more »

• Baker High School Student Arrested

  February 2, 2012 8:11 AM

  Police say a Baker High School student was arrested after his principal reported that he threatened to punch her in the face. Police Capt. Darryl Rainwater says that 18-year-old Joshua Franklin became upset because a teacher confiscated his cellphone and Franklin tried to retrieve it from a worker in the... more »

• St. Martin Board Approves School Bond Proposal

  February 2, 2012 8:03 AM

  BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (AP) - The St. Martin Parish School Board has voted to refinance $2.6 million in bonds by authorizing the issuance of new bonds to pay off the 2003 issuances at a taxpayer savings of $116,000. The move would reduce interest rates from a variable rate of up... more »

• School Board Approves Northside H.S. Plans for Overhaul Play Video

  February 1, 2012 11:40 PM

  A landmark decision was made at Wednesday night's Lafayette Parish School Board meeting, as the board voted almost unanimously to move forward with plans to overhaul one of its worst schools, Northside High. The plan could potentially mean big things not just for Northside, but other schools down the... more »

• Former school counselor sentenced in drug case

  February 1, 2012 10:37 AM

  NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) - A former Carencro Middle School guidance counselor has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for possession of cocaine in a school zone. On May 24, 2010, Kenrard Broussard was caught in a school zone in New Iberia while picking up a package of cocaine.... more »

• Luling school getting new science lab

  January 30, 2012 9:42 AM

  LULING, La. (AP) - Nearly seven years after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the land lab at Luling Elementary School soon will be replaced. The Times-Picayune reports the science lab was damaged by wind when Katrina struck in August 2005. John Rome, executive director of physical plant services for... more »

• Laf. School Board Lightens Cell Phone Policy Play Video

  January 18, 2012 11:36 PM

  The Lafayette Parish School Board dealt with a cell phone policy that wasn't sitting well with many students and their parents at Wednesday night's meeting. Board members made the call to change that policy, and that means students will be getting confiscated cell phones back soon. With a split... more »

• New commissioner school at Lafayette Clerk's office Play Video

  January 13, 2012 9:54 AM

  Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Lafayette parish courthouse will be holding classes on Jan. 17-19, 2012 at 10a.m., 2p.m., and 5:30p.m. These classes will certify new commissioners to work this years upcoming elections. We will need about 800 election commissioners to assist in the elections. For more information... more »

• East Feliciana names interim assistant school head

  January 11, 2012 10:40 AM

  CLINTON, La. (AP) - The East Feliciana Parish School Board has named Edna Lusk Thomas, interim assistant superintendent with a Feb. 1 start date. The board also approved Tuesday an application deadline and selection process for hiring a new superintendent to replace Douglas Beauchamp, who plans to retire in June.... more »

• 6 semifinalists named for Baton Rouge school head

  January 11, 2012 10:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has narrowed the list to six semifinalists in its search for a new superintendent. The list includes two candidates, Herman Brister Sr. and Maria Pitre-Martin, who are either working or have worked for the parish school system; two... more »

• Reported Runaway Returns Home

  January 8, 2012 1:21 PM

  Reported runaway, Desiree deLaunay of Lafayette is now home. Her mother alerted KATC that Desiree returned home around 11:00 Sunday morning with the help of friends and news reports. Desiree is only 15 years old and was reported as a runaway after she was last seen January 5th... more »

• LHS Band Will Play Huge Gig Play Video

  January 6, 2012 7:18 PM

  The nationally acclaimed Lafayette High School Band will play a pretty big gig Monday morning. The Lafayette High School Band has received top honors, traveling all over the country. Monday, they'll add to their list of accomplishments Governor Bobby Jindal's inauguration. "We just really consider it an extreme honor... more »

• Iberia school board asks state to pick up bills

  January 5, 2012 9:10 AM

  NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) - The Iberia Parish School Board has unanimously approved a resolution asking the Legislature to resume paying bills that it had left for the board to pay. The bills, also called unfunded mandates, are costs that the state imposes on local governments, which they are required... more »

• Evangeline School Unitary Status Coming

  December 15, 2011 8:20 AM

  VILLIE PLATTE, La. (AP) - The 42-year-old Evangeline Parish school desegregation case may be coming to an end in 2012. Superintendent Toni Hamlin says that she, school board attorney Robert Hammonds, Franz Marshal of the U.S. Justice Department and Marion Over White, an attorney for the original plaintiff, had a... more »

• Coalition Demands Financial Records from School Board Play Video

  December 9, 2011 7:34 PM

  In Saint Landry Parish, a newly formed group of educators is demanding financial records for the past three years from the St. Landry Parish School Board. This after at least one board member requested the same information. The Saint Landry United Coalition of Educators says the school board is... more »

• LHS Teacher Out on Bond, Charged with Fondling Students Play Video

  December 5, 2011 10:26 PM

  Lafayette High School teacher Katie Champagne was released from jail Monday night on a $30,000 bond. Police are charging Champagne with six counts of indecency with a juvenile. Police say Champagne willingly went to the Lafayette Police Department for questioning Monday afternoon. After meeting with investigators, she was brought... more »

• Police Discover Troubling Surveillance Video at LHS Play Video

  November 30, 2011 10:51 PM

  An investigation into a Lafayette High School teacher is still ongoing, after a female student claimed a female teacher fondled her and several other students at school. And while Lafayette Police were searching surveillance video of the room where the alleged incidents happened, they discovered another troubling incident. ... more »

• St. Landry Parish School Board Facing Budget Crisis Play Video

  November 29, 2011 12:37 AM

  The St. Landry Parish School Board is facing a budget shortfall and will likely have to make budget cuts, before the end of this fiscal year. "We're going to have to make up several million dollars," said Interim Superintendent Donnie Perron. "It's pretty much a crisis, financially." The... more »

• Landry Slides into Finalist Spot for Superintendent

  November 23, 2011 10:26 PM

  The search for a new superintendent in Lafayette Parish hit another snag and board members are faced with re-evaluating its final three candidates. School Board members said they were surprised when one of the finalists, St. Mary Parish Superintendent Donald Aguillard, dropped out of the running. At a special... more »

• Groups Recommend Top 3 Superintendent Finalists Play Video

  November 10, 2011 11:06 PM

  Lafayette Parish School Board is almost to the point of narrowing the superintendent search down to three finalists, after a lengthy meeting Thursday night. Thursday's special meeting was called to vote on how they would vote on the three finalists. But as soon as discussion got underway, a divide... more »

• Police: School Fights Increasing, Facebook to Blame

  September 28, 2011 11:13 PM

  School fights and arrests are on the rise in Lafayette Parish schools. But who's fighting, and why, might come as a surprise. Acadiana High School Sophomore Kenneth Munoz said he's seen more fights this year at school, and said it's mostly girls starting trouble. "Negative comments really. It's... more »

• Student Suspended for Flushing Drug at School

  September 20, 2011 10:33 PM

  Students were caught with drugs at Parks Middle School, but the parent said she doesn't think her son should be suspended. 12-year-old Brennan Segur said he was offered some kind of narcotic pill in the bathroom at Parks Middle School two days in a row. "He showed me... more »