SAINT LANDRY PARISH, La. — The St. Landry Parish School Board heard a cost reduction proposal as leaders try to close an $18 million budget deficit.
District officials say the goal is to right-size the system for today’s enrollment. School leaders went public discussing the potential changes that could impact the 2026/27 school year. With nothing official yet, the changes could impact employees, students and attendance zoning in the parish.
“I think right now we probably have about a $5- to $6 million unrestricted fund balance, but as you know, those dollars come in and they come out, so we’re trying to get ahead of the new fiscal year,” superintendent Milton Batiste said. “At the rate we’re going, we have to downsize, we have to downsize drastically, we have to downsize immediately.”
Schools under consideration
One option discussed would consolidate or close six to seven schools, including Krotz Springs, Grolee, Northeast, Grand Coteau and Grand Prairie Elementary schools, as well as Central Middle School. Plaisance Middle was discussed as part of a possible merger with Grand Prairie…