The Lafayette Parish School System is in waiting mode. On Monday, a group of referee associations decided to go on strike after being denied a pay raise. The Athletic Director for LPSS says the association (LHSAA) that denied the increase will be the one to figure out what’s next.

Greg Gautreaux of the Lafayette Area Football Officials Association assigns officials to work the games.  Gautreaux says his association voted not to work under the current contract. In addition to the increase, the association wants better security at the games and a seat within the association which turned away their pay increase. The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is made-up of school principals. “Louisiana is the lowest in the nation as far as officials pay,” explains Gautreaux.

Former college and high school referee Gerald Boudreaux is surprised to learn there’s an issue. “I challenge the administrators and the leaders of the LHSSA to make this happen.”  Boudreaux is also the LCG Director of Parks and Recreation.  Boudreaux has come to rely on having trained and qualified refs at his centers.  “We have student athletes preparing for upcoming programs. I don’t think any attention should be put on will we have officials.  That should not be a question,” adds Boudreaux.

Boudreaux explains the integrity of high school football is at stake. Plus, the future careers of high school athletes depend on games that are properly called.  “Friday night football when you’re out there you want to make sure it’s a well officiated game.  You don’t want to have any disruption because you have unqualified people who have not been through proper training on the field,” notes Boudreaux.