Board to review request for aide to school chief

LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette Parish School Board will decide at its 5:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday whether the new superintendent needs an assistant to help keep up with the district’s construction projects.

Superintendent Pat Cooper has proposed an “assistant to the superintendent” position for someone experienced in construction management who could provide oversight
of school renovations and repairs.

The assistant would need 15 or more years of supervisory experience and would report directly to Cooper.

Information attached to the agenda item stated: “In light of the bond issue failing, the school system will adopt a strategy for various renovation and repair jobs that will require close scrutiny and guidance of an experienced professional to ensure that work is done properly and funds are stretched as far as possible in obtaining quality work,”

The starting pay for the administrative/professional position is $58,852, according to the district’s salary schedule.

At the board’s Feb. 1 meeting, Cooper told the board that based on his review of operations, equipment maintenance is subpar.

“We’ve got chillers that should be lasting 30 years, failing after five,” he told the board on Feb. 1.

Cooper said part of his reorganization plan will include a separate buildings maintenance department.

To view the full board agenda, visit: http://esb.lpssonline.com.