The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) sent a memo to schools, stating “All indoor and outdoor athletic facilities will be limited to 25% capacity until further notice. This percentage capacity is for only spectators in fixed seating. This requirement does not include the athletes, coaches, other team essential personnel and assigned LHSOA (Louisiana High School Officials Association) game officials as these individuals will be recognized in the Governor’s Phase III static group of 50 restrictions.” The memo goes on to address the issue of bands, cheerleaders, dance teams and media, with the LHSAA saying they are still talking their way through that and “want to give solid guidance for such.”
Evangeline Parish Superintendent of Schools Darwan Lazard addressed the school board at Wednesday’s meeting, saying he was “very concerned.” He said when the number of spectators are limited, it also limits the amount of revenue schools will be taking in. He gave the example of football, there is sometimes $1,000 for referees before they sell any tickets. “My concern is, even though the expenses are not going to change, the income will. We are still going to have to recondition helmets, still have to buy equipment, [etc.] It may be at some point, I’m going to have to come back to you and ask for some kind of allocation for our schools, because they will simply not be able to afford that program. I’m 100% in favor of our athletic programs because you know that’s a salvation for some students. It keeps them engaged and well-disciplined. It teaches them some good, life-long lessons.” He said this will also have implications on big events like homecomings.
Hamlin offered declining the free tickets the board gets every year. Other board members agreed with her. Forman asked Lazard if he wanted the board to give him the right to give the schools the money they need. Lazard said he wanted to work with CFO Amy LaFleur to look at the budget to see if they can move the money around. If it is possible, they would bring it to the executive committee and then the full board. “I don’t see how we can avoid it, as it stands right now,” said Lazard. Forman agreed with him.
In his closing comments, Lazard said Wednesday, September 9th, the school board president and three members from Avoyelles Parish toured Evangeline Central which is the site of the alternative school as well as Evangeline Virtual Academy (EVA). He said they were pleased with what they saw and complimentary of the programs. Their intent is to plan a program for Avoyelles after what they saw at Evangeline Central. Lazard said it was a testament to the “fine work” done on that campus and added it is indicative of all the employees at all the school campuses.
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Nancy Duplechain
Associate Editor