On Wednesday, the Lafayette Parish School Board considers a plan to eliminate some positions and re-classify others.

Chief Administrative Officer Joe Craig explains the board approved the budget in June along with the cost of placing a School Resource Officer in every school.  

However, MFP funds from the state per student came in lower than projected. LPSS administrators reviewed options to make-up for the decrease without sacrificing the classroom.

Human Resource Director Suzanne Thibodeaux is among the central office job titles to be re-organized.

According to the board agenda,  the reorganization incudes eliminating  the chief administrative officer, chief financial officer and chief academic officer positions.  Staff will report to the newly created positions of Assistant Superintendent of Administration or Business Services.

Thibodeaux says no jobs will be cut.  Staff will take on more responsibility. “We will find a position for everyone and transfer them into a position that will work more for us now,” Thibodeaux says.

Chief Administrative Officer Joe Craig is also on the proposed reclassified list and reassignment of job titles.  Craig says he will not be out of a job but will have a larger workload.  The goal is to prevent from letting the unexpected state funding drop threaten any programs.  “Close positions and give responsibilities to others.  We can potentially save $430,000.””

What LPSS calls the top tier positions — will be reduced from seven to three. In the academics administrative tier, the proposal calls for an increase from seven to 11 positions.  “So you save a little money in terms of having less high tier personnel here and you can use that towards that $1.2 million dollar gap that we’re trying to fill,” Craig adds.
    
Thibodeaux says the school system is working to efficiently use its resources and that inclues staff.  “We’re trying to be more efficient and streamlined in the central office.  and make the best use of our people,” explains Thibodeaux says.