Louisiana school boards address employee stipends and solar funding

The Lafayette Parish School Board has approved a $2,000 stipend for all eligible employees, including teachers and full-time support personnel who receive benefits. This decision follows an executive order from Governor Jeff Landry, which mandated $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for other workers. By voting to equalize the amount, the board ensures all eligible staff receive the same payment. The stipends are expected to be distributed before the end of the year for employees active by November 11, 2026. Ineligible recipients include temporary workers, substitutes, tutors, and those on unpaid leave.

Separately, the Calcasieu Parish School Board reached a 7-7 deadlock regarding a proposed funding agreement with Persimmon Gulch Solar, LLC. The deal would have provided an initial $150,000 annual donation to schools near a planned solar farm in Moss Bluff, with scheduled increases every decade. While supporters viewed the agreement as a way to secure long-term revenue, opposing members expressed discomfort with the terms of the contract.