Development News for Lafayette, Louisiana

Public Hearing Held on KO High School Closure and Career Center Expansion Proposal

The Lafayette Parish School Board held a public hearing to discuss the potential closure of KO High School after the 2025-2026 school year to repurpose the site for the expansion of a career center. The proposal includes rezoning the 2026-2027 KO students to Acadiana High, Lafayette High, and Southside High. The career center expansion is planned to be operational by the 2028-2029 school year, with the current KO facilities remaining operational for community skills and literacy programs for students with disabilities, and as a middle school sports complex hub during the interim. The project anticipates operational savings of approximately $2.1 million from staff reductions. Community members expressed significant concerns regarding historical land use, potential overcrowding at other schools, increased transportation burdens, loss of educational programs, and the impact on the north side community. There were also discussions about the historical significance of KO High School and its donation deed, concerns about the displacement of students with disabilities, and the potential for a charter school to replace the existing high school.