Latest news with #LPSS
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana Board of Ethics decides on LPSS board member's request
LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY) — Back in March, Lafayette Parish School Board Member Jeremy Hidalgo requested a formal opinion from the Louisiana Board of Ethics. This is regarding his position on the school board and his business partnerships with vendors. News 10 was present during the board's decision. The Louisiana Board of Ethics decided to prohibit LPSS Board Member, Jeremy Hidalgo, from soliciting and receiving sponsorships from vendors seeking to partner with his local business, if they work for or provide goods and services to LPSS. Hidalgo owns a local bar that hosts a customer appreciation night once a month where other businesses partner with him to provide free meals for attendees. In a letter to the board, Hidalgo indicates that the businesses he partners with gain exposure as sponsors because they volunteer to cook meals and provide a limited bar tab during the events. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now In that same letter, he also indicates being approached by business owners who supply goods or services to LPSS and are interested in sponsoring a meal and tab at his bar. With a Louisiana law prohibiting public officials from accepting gifts, money, or anything of value directly or indirectly if the person is doing business with their agency, an advisory opinion was proposed to prohibit Hidalgo from receiving sponsorships from any vendor that has a relationship with LPSS. It was also recommended to adopt that proposal to which the board of ethics approved staff recommendations. News 10 contacted LPSS and Hidalgo for comment on the board's decision but has not heard back as of news time. As this story develops, updates will be posted here. Supreme Court turns away RNC challenge to Pennsylvania ballot ruling Cecilia family recounts losing home and cherished memories in fire Some Republicans hope Trump, Musk mend fences after blistering breakup 90 Plus: Myrtle Toups Clement Louisiana Board of Ethics decides on LPSS board member's request Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State agency: LPSS used unlicensed contractor, competing bids were forged
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — The is investigating a claim by the state that a contractor that worked on a Lafayette school was unlicensed, and that two other bids for the project were forged. LPSS received a letter dated May 21 from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), which said the board received a complaint involving Bosco Oilfield Services. According to the letter, Bosco Oilfield Services performed drainage work at for which it bid $74,500. Two other companies, Siema Construction and Clements Construction, reportedly submitted higher bids for the project. 'A review of state licensing records shows that Bosco Oilfield Services. LLC, has never held any type of licensure with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC),' the letter read. 'The type of work described in the complaint and its value would seem to indicate that this is an activity that would require a state licensed contractor to perform.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now An additional record obtained from LPSS showed Bosco Oilfield Services submitted an estimate in the amount of $49,500 for replacement of an additional 165 feet of drainage piping at Burke Elementary. This brings the total cost of the project to $124,000. The letter also alleges that two other bids reported to have been received for the drainage work were not submitted by the companies listed, and that those companies are not licensed to do the specific work in question. 'I wanted to let you know about the two documents that were provided to our investigator from LPSS reported by the contractors to be forged,' the letter read. 'With the LPSS being a public agency, you can understand why a state regulatory agency such as the LSLBC would be concerned about the allegation of false records being provided to us during the course of an investigation.' LPSS saving only $500K per year with adopted CSG recommendations leads to hiring freeze In response, LPSS said in a news release that they were not the subject of the investigation, and there were no concerns raised regarding the quality or completion of the work performed by Bosco. The contracted work was completed as agreed, and no financial irregularities were found, LPSS said. 'LPSS is treating this information seriously and is actively investigating the validity of the bid submissions to determine whether these bids were, in fact, submitted as documented,' the release read. The LPSS Director of Facilities and Maintenance has already implemented additional internal safeguards to protect the integrity of the district's procurement processes, LPSS said. 'We are committed to a full and fair review of the facts,' LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet said. 'If our investigation determines that the concerns raised by LSLBC are substantiated, LPSS will report its findings to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and, if appropriate, refer the matter to law enforcement.' Bosco Oilfield Services is being charged and will be scheduled to appear before the board for a hearing, and will have an opportunity to apply for licensure, the letter read. It is not known if the subjects of the allegedly forged bids, Siema Construction and Clements Construction, will take further action. Read the entire letter from LSLBC to LPSS below: Notification-Letter-LPSS-re-2025-0811-01Download State agency: LPSS used unlicensed contractor, competing bids were forged What to expect during the 2025 hurricane season | Tracking the Tropics New Iberia man indicted for 2023 murder of 2-year-old Super Bowl LIX injects $1.25 billion into Louisiana's economy Tariffs drive up U.S. auto prices by 2.5% Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
LPSS reinstates Pre-K French Immersion program at Myrtle Place Elementary for upcoming school year
LAFAYETTE, La. () — After pushback over funding cuts by the , the Pre-K French Immersion program at Myrtle Place Elementary is officially making a comeback for the 2025-2026 academic school year. Parents Blair Broussard and Cara Acomb, and LPSS school board member Roddy Bergeron, say the Pre-K French Immersion is needed for the community and culture. 'When it was announced in January that the Pre-K Immersion Program would be cut from Myrtle Place, we wanted to make our voices heard about that and have our concerns be taken into consideration about this decision,' said Broussard. This comes after LPSS cut funding for the Pre-K French immersion at Myrtle Elementary School in January. After LPSS made budget cuts on the program, a local group of about 80 individuals have been advocating to save the program. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now LPSS works to save Pre-K French Immersion Program at Myrtle Elementary Acomb says the program is a great resource and provides a headstart for children who want to be fully exposed to the language. 'Both of my daughters are in the program, and they will every once in a while, switch to French,' said Acomb. 'I'm wondering what they are saying back there, but they both speak it so fluently, and it's just a great tool,' said Acomb. After hearing many concerns from parents, LPSS announced they have since reconsidered their plans to cut the program. In a letter sent to parents in April, it states the program would be resuming applications for the upcoming school year. Roddy Bergeron, a LPSS Board Member, says officials are working to preserve the program throughout the years. 'There's some potential through funding, there is community partners out there, it's still the state legislature, they have some purse strings too that we can pull on and see if there's any funding for us, we're going to find every avenue we can to help preserve the program,' said Bergeron. Broussard says she is grateful she and other parents' concerns were taken into consideration. 'There will be Pre-K in the fall happening,' said Broussard. 'It is so important that all of these stakeholders have worked together to make this possible, this is the next chapter for Pre-K and French Immersion and really all world language immersion that LPSS offers.' There are limited spots available for Pre-K students who want to pursue the French immersion program. The program is being run on a tuition contract. The tuition rate is $603 per month for 9 months from September to May. If you are interested in applying for this program, here are the next steps: Complete an online application at for the Program Choice of 'Lafayette Parish School System Pre-K Program.' If you have already completed a Lafayette Parish School System Application at our Early Childhood placement team will be contacting you via our online application system regarding this new placement opportunity. You will receive a notification when the information is sent. If you have not already done so, complete a Lafayette Parish School System Application at Democratic Rep. McIver charged with assault after skirmish at ICE center, New Jersey prosecutor says LPSS reinstates Pre-K French Immersion program at Myrtle Place Elementary for upcoming school year Freedom Caucus chair predicts 'big beautiful bill' lacks support to pass this week 107-year-old man receives Iowa high school diploma 93 years later 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams reveals same cancer diagnosis as Biden, says he has months to live Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
LPSS teachers get salary raise, starting at $50K
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– The Lafayette Parish School Board has reached a decision to increase pay for all teachers within the parish. With the item approved, teachers would receive a starting salary of $50,000, which is $2,000 more than any other starting pay in the district. These salary increases are from savings in LPSS' budget from the district office optimization and consolidation and staffing adjustments. This comes after feedback was received from two teacher focus groups, four informational meetings at school sites, and multiple advisory panels about the impact of the increase in salary. In addition to this, there will also be stipends for clubs and organizations, teacher assignments, playoff stipends, and stipends for meeting certain student performance standards. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Other pay incentives for teachers included compensation for working extended seasons, compensation for working with student clubs and organizations, and compensation for teachers who teach courses with state assessments. Lafayette police honor Jolivette and Middlebrook in Memorial Week LPSS teachers get salary raise, starting at $50K St. Landry Evangeline Sexual Assault Center loses funding Hot & Dry Days Through the Weekend With Showers Possible Next Week… Father condemns Lafayette teachers after allegedly assaulting a student Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
LPSS investigating video of teacher allegedly slapping student
LAFAYETTE, La. () — A video that seems to show a teacher slapping a student at a Lafayette school is under investigation, officials said. The video, which has gone viral on social media over the weekend, allegedly shows a teacher at standing over a seated student and slapping them. KLFY has not yet received permission to post the video. A spokesperson for the said the administration is aware of the video. 'Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) is actively investigating the incident,' the spokesperson said. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Officials said the incident took place about a year ago, but the video was first brought to the district's attention recently. Two LPSS employees shown in the video resigned today. LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. said the district 'will take any necessary action based on the evidence following a prompt and thorough investigation.' This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Silver Alert: Police asking for help locating missing Lake Charles man Artist sought to create 2025 Natchitoches Christmas Festival poster Adam Sandler says goodbye to Morris, the alligator in 'Happy Gilmore' WATCH LIVE: Supreme Court hears arguments in birthright citizenship case Alabama man's Uber dashcam shows alleged sex assault of unconscious woman Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
