UPDATE: Here's a statement from the school board president:
Lafayette Parish School Board President Britt Latiolais Issues Statement on Auditor's Report and Media Coverage
As members of the Lafayette Parish School Board, we are disappointed by the final report issued by an external auditor, as well as the resulting media coverage.
Clarification on Elevator Repairs (Finding 2024-007)
The definitions applied by the auditors regarding the elevator repairs are subjective. Superintendent Francis Touchet and his team maintain that the project qualified as a professional service, which does not require a public bid process—a position supported by AG Op. No. 00-0246. This opinion references a court ruling (Baton Rouge Roofing and Sheetmetal Contractors, Inc. v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board), which determined that the full replacement of a roof constituted maintenance (a professional service), as defined under R.S. 38:2212.
Project Aggregation and Public Bid Law
The auditor also raised concerns about smaller projects that were not aggregated into a single bid. While the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s FAQ states that multi-phase projects should be consolidated into one bid, the Attorney General has clarified that projects may be separated for legitimate business reasons, such as aligning with available funding for a fiscal year. The Public Bid Law prohibits “splitting” when the intent is to bypass bid requirements. Rest assured, our approach was driven by cost savings and fiscal responsibility.
Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility
This Board, along with Superintendent Touchet, remains steadfast in its commitment to using taxpayer dollars wisely, particularly given our district’s financial challenges. We have critically evaluated our approach to project management to maximize efficiency and cost savings. At no point was there an intent to circumvent state law, nor do we believe any violations occurred.
For every project, our facilities team solicited at least three bids, awarding contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. This process ensured that projects were managed effectively and resulted in significant cost savings for taxpayers. In fact, had we combined these projects into a single bid, we would have incurred additional expenses for architects, engineers, and other professionals—costs that were unnecessary given the scope of the work.
The proof of our fiscal responsibility is in the numbers. Under the previous facilities manager, six projects totaled $1,281,935. In contrast, seven nearly identical projects under the current manager were completed for just $555,242.This administration has achieved more and spent significantly less money.
Commitment to Legal Compliance and Transparency
Let us be clear: This School Board operates within the bounds of the law, as advised by legal counsel, and will continue seeking innovative ways to improve efficiency. While our approach may differ from previous administrations, change that delivers positive results is ultimately in the best interest of our students. We will continue to engage qualified vendors who can provide the best value for LPSS, ensuring that we manage public funds responsibly—just as any prudent consumer would.
Addressing Media Coverage
While we respect the role of local journalists, some media reports have unfairly implied wrongdoing. We provided all necessary information to ensure an accurate and complete narrative. Transparency is a fundamental responsibility of any public entity, and we hold ourselves to that standard. However, by omitting key details—such as cost savings, methodology, and project timelines—the public was given an incomplete picture.
To the residents of Lafayette Parish: This Board remains deeply committed to governing our district with integrity, accountability, and a focus on what is best for our students. Every decision we make is driven by our duty to serve the children and families of this parish.
Here's our original story:
Since early 2024, Lafayette Parish School System officials have awarded millions in no-bid work to a metal building company in Scott, The Current is reporting.
Bergeron’s Metal Buildings of Scott won contracts to complete walkway covers and sidewalk canopies, remove portable buildings and replace some of their roofs, and construct a large agricultural building at Carencro High School, the newspaper reports.
The school system’s auditors have raised concerns about the way LPSS is handling construction projects as they relate to public bid laws, flagging four of them in an audit report that will be presented tonight to school board members.
The Current examined public records and conducted interviews with former employees about the system’s new processes and reports that revealed a high-pressure, often disorganized pace of spending that partitions projects or pulls out essential components to circumvent public bid law.
To read the whole story, click here.
