Highlights
- Carencro High School’s agricultural barn failed two safety inspections, including exposed electrical wires that posed electrocution risks to students
- Lafayette Parish School System bypassed the required bidding process to expedite construction, resulting in safety violations and project delays
- Electrical work was completed without proper permits, prompting building code inspectors to reject the installation in May
- The $210,000 barn project remained unusable as of June 2025, despite plans to house student animals by winter 2025.
- LPSS claims legal approval for project-splitting practices but refuses to provide documentation, citing attorney-client privilege
Safety Violations Leave Carencro High Agricultural Barn Unusable After Months of Construction Problems
Lafayette Parish School System’s decision to bypass bidding requirements resulted in electrical hazards, failed inspections, and delayed completion of student facility
CARENCRO, La. (KPEL News) — A new agricultural barn at Carencro High School remained closed to students as of June 2025, months after its planned winter completion, due to serious safety violations that building inspectors say could have resulted in electrocution.
According to an investigation by The Current, the Lafayette Parish School System’s attempt to fast-track the project by avoiding the public bidding process backfired, creating both safety hazards and significant delays.
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Electrical Work Poses “Serious Risk” to Carencro Students
Building code inspector Rodney “Cooney” Richard discovered dangerous electrical conditions during an unscheduled May 13 inspection of the Carencro High facility. Exposed outdoor wires and improperly installed electrical panels created what Richard described as an immediate safety threat…