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Board again votes to close Comeaux
High school to become career center, sports complex BY CLAIRE TAYLOR
Staff writer
In a highly unpopular move, the Lafayette Parish School Board on Thursday voted for the second time to close Comeaux High School and repurpose the facility as a career center and accelerated
school as well as a schools sports complex to be used by schools throughout the district. The board voted 5-4 for the move, with Britt Latiolais, Ted Davidson, Roddy Bergeron, Hannah Smith Mason and Kate Labue voting in favor of closure. Amy Trahan, Josh Edmond, Jeremy Hidalgo and Da-
vid LeJeune voted against it. The vote came after many community members spoke against the proposal. English teacher Ami Waters has been with Lafayette Parish schools for about 10 years and has spent the past three years at Comeaux. During public comment, she said
she found a sense of family at Comeaux that she hasn’t seen at other schools. “Comeaux has heart and culture,” she said. “I found family, colleagues and students I can invest in. You walk in to high-fives, fist bumps and hugs.” Other speakers elaborated on the culture at the school and also cited the fact that it has been a high-performing school, despite
State budget earmarks $9M for UL operations
the fact that it is a deteriorating, aging facility. School system officials cite low enrollment at Comeaux High, a long waiting list and limited capacity at the W.D. Smith and Mary Baker Smith Career Center and aging facilities as reasons for the change. A consulting firm in 2024
ä See COMEAUX, page 7A
ELECTION 2026
Early voting begins Senate primaries, other races on ballots in La. BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
James D. Moncus Hall is part of the Health Science Campus at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which is included in the Priority 1 capital outlay funding for ongoing construction.
Money boosts financial health efforts amid past deficit BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
The Louisiana Legislature budgeted $9 million from various funds to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for operations in the recently-concluded session. UL officials had requested $15 million. The funding is not final until Gov. Jeff Landry approves the budget. “This legislative session, state lawmakers granted the University $9 million in support for fiscal year 2027 focused on university operations and student success priorities,” spokesperson Eric Maron said in a statement Wednesday. “The University remains grateful for the support shown by state leaders throughout this process and will continue efforts focused on long-term financial sustainability and
WEATHER HIGH 89 LOW 74 PAGE 12C
“The University remains grateful for the support shown by state leaders throughout this process and will continue efforts focused on longterm financial sustainability and operational improvements.”
recurring revenue. “Contributing factors include rising operational costs and expenditures and reduced revenues. The University experienced a decline of approximately 1,700 full-time undergraduate students since 2015, while operational expenditures have gone up,” the website states. ERIC MARON, University of Louisiana New UL President Ramesh Kolluru enat Lafayette spokesperson acted cost-cutting measures that reduced the deficit to $25 million through various methods, including cutting division budoperational improvements.” gets and reducing staff. At one point last year, the university State Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayfaced a $50 million deficit that included a ette, said the $9 million will come from $25 million structural deficit and $25 mil- several places, including reallocations lion in prior fiscal year payables, accord- through the University of Louisiana sysing to its website. tem board and direct state appropriations. A structural deficit is an ongoing imbalä See BUDGET, page 7A ance where recurring expenses exceed
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Seven days of early voting begin Friday throughout Louisiana in advance of the June 27 election. The marquee races will be separate party primaries to elect the Democratic and Republican nominees who will face off in November to replace U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow is the favorite against state Treasurer John Fleming in the higher-profile Republican runoff. Farmer Jamie Davis and business owner Gary Crockett are vying for the Democratic nomination. The Senate race is the only statewide election. Also on the Republican primary ballot are races for the Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to represent parishes mostly in metro New Orleans. The PSC election pits state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty against former
ä See VOTING, page 7A
STAFF FILE PHOTO
Early voting for the June 27 elections begins Friday and ends on June 20.
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