LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — North Lafayette may soon see the construction of a new middle school, as community leaders and residents discuss the pressing need for improved educational facilities in the area.

The meeting, organized by 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, aimed to gather input from residents about the potential new school. The discussion highlighted the inadequate conditions of current schools in District 4, which many describe as “deplorable.”

“We need to look at how we’re going to invest in school on the northside. That is a commitment you heard tonight being made,” said Amy Trahan, District 4 school board member.

Forrest Chaisson, president of 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, emphasized the need for equitable improvements across all school districts.

“If you look at all of the nine districts, you see improvements going on,” said Chaisson. “You’ve got a brand-new Southside High School. You’ve got a brand-new Lafayette High School. You’ve got a brand-new Prairie (Elementary). Then you start to wonder, what about district 4? So, the fact they’re bringing this new school lets the community know, they’re not forgotten about.”

Educators, including the principal of Paul Breaux Middle School, expressed concerns over the current state of school buildings, noting that many are falling apart.

“The way the schools are as is now, many parents and families wouldn’t want their students in those particular schools,” Trahan said.

Two models for the new school are under consideration: A Kindergarten through 8th grade model and a 6th through 8th grade model. Trahan believes that either model would benefit students and families in District 4.

LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet plans to present the proposal for a new middle school to the school board at a meeting on Sept. 18.

“We are going to be bringing a proposal to them that they are going to be voting on, and I am hoping that all of our board members understand that this is an opportunity to be able to really benefit the students on the northside with a brand-new facility,” Touchet said.

The proposal for a new middle school in District 4 aims to address the long-standing issues of inadequate facilities and provide a modern educational environment for students in north Lafayette. The upcoming school board meeting will be a crucial step in moving the project forward.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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