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• 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 Play Video

  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 Play Video

  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 »

• Some Acadiana Schools Doing More With Less

  September 20, 2011 6:46 PM

  If your school district receives more money than others, does it mean your child is getting a better education? A new study reveals some of the parishes that spend the most per pupil are not performing as well as others who have less cash flow. Here is a list... more »

• Acadia Parish School System's Website Hacked Over the Weekend

  September 6, 2011 11:46 PM

  Racially charged and sexually explicit images and words appeared on the Acadia Parish School Board's website Saturday, now an investigation is underway to figure out who posted them. "We're taking it very seriously," said Superintendent John Bourque. "The company that hosts the website, they're looking at pass codes, computers... more »

• Parents: Jennings HS Not Doing Enough in Assault Incident Play Video

  August 23, 2011 11:10 PM

  A 13-year-old boy was assaulted at a Jennings football game, and now his parents say school leaders aren't doing enough about it. So they have now involved police. Thursday night at Jerry Simmons Stadium, there was an altercation between a 15-year-old student and Annette Ewing's son. "When my... more »

• Rayne HS Mourns Death of Student Play Video

  August 22, 2011 11:08 PM

  Students and faculty at Rayne High School are dealing with the loss of a 16-year-old student. Jason Petitjean was killed this weekend in a dirt bike accident. He had just started his senior year at Rayne H.S. "Jason was a curly haired little boy that smiled all the time,... more »

• School Board Finalizes Superintendent Search Protocol Play Video

  August 17, 2011 11:24 PM

  The Lafayette Parish School Board hammered out a plan on how it will choose a new superintendent, but that decision didn't come without a few disagreements. It wasn't unanimous, and it wasn't simple, but the board did approve the superintendent search protocol in a 3 to 5 vote. ... more »

• School Meal Prices More Than Double in St. Martin Parish Play Video

  August 8, 2011 11:43 PM

  As school bells ring later this month for the first day of classes, students in St. Martin Parish will be shelling out more money for school meals. The school system said the rise in prices is due to budget shortfalls, but some parents think the increase is too much. ... more »

• New Biomedical Program at Opelousas High School Play Video

  June 30, 2011 7:24 PM

  At one time eleven hundred students walked the hallways of Opelousas High School, but now enrollment is down to 775. Superintendent Michael Nassif said, "when we rezoned children, the population of Opelousas Senior High School diminished to a point where we didn't feel like we were utilizing the faculty and... more »

• Lawsuit Filed in School Bus Crash Play Video

  June 26, 2011 11:39 PM

  In Iberia Parish, an update on a fatal motorcycle crash involving a school bus. It happened last month, when State Police say the driver of that bus failed to yield while making a left hand turn, hitting the motorcyclist, 25 year old Kirt Rebert who was pronounced dead at... more »

• School textbook bill stalls in La. Senate

  June 22, 2011 7:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have refused to consider a proposal to give local school districts more freedom to choose the textbooks they use, a measure that opponents say is a back-door attempt to introduce creationism in science classes. The measure by Republican Rep. Frank Hoffmann needs a two-thirds... more »

• HS FB Coach Arrested on Indecent Behavior Charge

  June 12, 2011 12:06 PM

  HOUMA, La. (AP) - Ellender High School's football coach is free on $100,000 bond after being booked with a charge of indecent behavior with a 15-year-old female student. Authorities tell The Courier that 33-year-old Timothy Betts was released Friday, after his wife posted bond on the charges of indecent behavior... more »

• Acadiana Marine Killed in Afghanistan Play Video

  June 9, 2011 8:07 PM

  Acadiana is mourning the loss of a fallen Marine. Twenty-one-year old Corporal Matthew Richard from Iota was killed in Afghanistan. His mother says three marines and a sailor knocked on their door in full dress around 6'oclock Thursday morning to deliver the grim news. His mother says Mathew's... more »

• Storms Rip Through Eunice Play Video

  June 5, 2011 11:51 PM

  Hot heavy days and wild nights, that's the weather recap this weekend. Severe storms came on the tail end of severe record heat. KATC'S Chris Welty spent Sunday in Eunice and saw the damage first hand. "It was wicked for about 15 minutes man," said Charles Daigle. ... more »

• School allegedly said diabetic kid couldn't attend

  June 2, 2011 9:34 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A private school in Alexandria has settled a complaint alleging that it refused to admit a 6-year-old girl who has diabetes because her parents asked the school to supervise her glucose tests and insulin pump, the U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday. A news release said Alexandria... more »

• Congratulations Class of 2011 Play Video

  May 22, 2011 12:32 AM

  Congratulations to the class of 2011! Saturday, all Lafayette Public School seniors got to walk across the stage, and slide their tassels over. Graduation ceremonies were held at the Cajundome where thousands of diplomas were handed out to the now high school grads. more »

• Lawmakers Have Cost Concerns on School Sports Bill

  May 19, 2011 6:21 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A House committee has sidetracked an Alexandria lawmaker's proposal to require licensed athletic trainers at the football games of junior high and high schools, raising cost concerns and sending it to the House budget committee. Supporters of Democrat Chris Roy's bill say it would prevent... more »

• Board Ends Block Scheduling, Students Outraged Play Video

  May 19, 2011 4:34 AM

  Wednesday night, the Lafayette Parish School Board voted to end block scheduling at high schools in the parish. That scheduling format has been in place in Lafayette high schools since 2004, allowing students to take 4 classes each day, every other day. That allowed them the opportunity to take... more »

• Tornado Strikes While Lafayette Students on Field Trip

  May 1, 2011 2:02 PM

  As storms travelled through Alabama last week, also travelling in the state a group of middle school students from Lafayette. It was a field trip these student won't soon forget and a KATC exclusive as parents and students spoke only with us when they returned home. "It was... more »

• Pre-K Tuition Increases Play Video

  April 20, 2011 11:18 PM

  Lafayette parents could be paying more to keep their kids in Pre-K classes. The Lafayette Parish School Board introduced the tuition increase at Wednesday's meeting. Currently parents pay $330 a month for Pre-K classes. But the Early Childhood Programs department is asking board members to raise tuition to a... more »

• Lafayette Middle Celebrates Earth Day Play Video

  April 16, 2011 11:58 PM

  With Earth Day less than a week away on April 22nd, one Lafayette middle school got in on the green action Saturday. KATC'S Chris Welty was there as the school hosted it's annual Earth Day celebration, the theme this year "100-Ways to Save Louisiana." Dozens of Lafayette Middle School... more »

• Charter School Stands a Chance in St. Landry Parish Play Video

  April 5, 2011 11:13 PM

  A new charter school is on the table in St. Landry Parish, but does it stand a chance with school board members? Directors presented them with a plan at Tuesday's meeting. This wasn't the first time St. Landry Parish School Board Member Charles Ross had heard a charter school... more »

• Hundreds Support School Paddling Policy

  March 27, 2011 11:36 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - More than 500 students, parents and other supporters of a Roman Catholic High School are under fire for its use of corporal punishment marched to the New Orleans Archdiocese buildings Saturday to ask the archbishop to retract statements he has made opposing the practice of paddling.... more »

• LPSS Plans for N.P. Moss

  March 16, 2011 11:38 AM

  Current and future N.P. Moss Middle School students could learn tonight where they'll be going to school next year. The plan is to open Moss as the Thibodaux Career and Technical High School in August. Tonight the board is set to vote on re-zoning the area. Currently, students residing... more »

• Bus Driver's Brother Talks About Deadly Accident Play Video

  March 15, 2011 11:25 PM

  The school bus driver involved in the deadly accident in Milton is now receiving counseling. While driver Harold Thibeaux is unable to comment on the accident due to the investigation, his younger brother did speak out, saying his brother and their entire family are struggling with the tragic loss of... more »

• Pellet Gun at Elementary School Over 24 Hours Play Video

  March 3, 2011 11:29 PM

  A pellet hand gun winds up on an elementary school campus, but the most troubling fact is how long it had been there. Lafayette Police said a ten-year-old boy brought a pellet gun to Prairie Elementary on Tuesday and even showed it off to some classmates. But it wasn't... more »

• Student Arrested After Gun Found at School

  February 15, 2011 6:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Authorities have arrested a 13-year-old student at Parkview Baptist School for allegedly bringing an unloaded gun to the school. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said the seventh-grader was booked Monday on charges that included illegal possession of a firearm, felony theft and aggravated... more »

• Soccer Player With Downs Syndrome Impacts Two HS Teams Play Video

  February 9, 2011 11:33 PM

  Last weekend's soccer game turned out to be monumental for Lafayette and Pineville High Schools. But it wasn't because of the score or stakes of the game, instead it was all because of one extraordinary player. There were 15 minutes left in the game, that's when Lafayette Soccer Coach... more »

• Weather Related Closures

  February 3, 2011 5:28 PM

  PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED Acadia - closed Friday Calcasieu - waiting on word Evangeline - closed at 12:30 and Friday Iberia Parish- closed Friday Jeff Davis Parish - closed Friday Lafayette Parish - closed Friday St. Landry Parish - closed Thursday and Friday St. Mary Parish - closed Thursday and Friday... more »

• Lafayette Teen Collapses and Dies on the Basketball Court Play Video

  February 2, 2011 12:36 AM

  A Lafayette teenager collapsed and died while at basketball practice Monday night. 15 year old Shane Ozene was a sophomore at Acadiana High School, but was at practice for a recreational basketball league at Northside High School when he fell to the floor. "We were getting set to run... more »

• Update on Jennings Bus Crash

  February 1, 2011 5:58 PM

  This afternoon at 3:17 p.m., a Jefferson Davis Parish school bus carrying 39 children was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Dave Williams Road 1/10 mile west of Louisiana Highway 26. Troopers say the bus driven by 49-year-old Bertha Benoit of Jennings crossed the opposing lane, entered a ditch, and... more »

• School Bus Accident in Jennings

  February 1, 2011 5:09 PM

  There was a school bus accident in Jennings, around 3:00 this afternoon, on Dave Williams Road off of Highway 26. There were students on the bus at the time, but no injuries were reported. more »

• LHS Takes You "Into the Woods" Play Video

  January 31, 2011 12:15 AM

  Lafayette High School is preparing to showcase it's newest musical..."Into the Woods." KATC'S Chris Welty has a preview from the final rehearsal before the curtain opens this week. For forty years Lafayette High School has brought Broadway to Lafayette. The tradition started back in 1972 with the musical "Li'l... more »

• LPSB Moves Forward with Plans to Renovate N.P. Moss Play Video

  January 19, 2011 11:30 PM

  Plans are getting underway for the transition of N.P. Moss Middle School to Thibodeaux Technical and Career High School. Wednesday night the Lafayette Parish School Board made a very preliminary, but important decision. The board authorized the administration to look for an architectural firm that would make changes at N.P.... more »