Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) officials have announced that all schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and Wednesday, January 22, 2025, due to expected Arctic cold weather and the possibility of snow and/or freezing precipitation. Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr., emphasized the district’s focus on safety in making this decision.

"I feel confident in making this call today to allow parents to prepare for students to be home and not subjected to the bitterly cold temperatures and wind chill,” said Superintendent Touchet. “Additionally, a combination of freezing temperatures and wet weather, in whatever form, could create hazardous road conditions which would make travel by any means, especially buses, dangerous.”

If conditions permit, the LPSS Facilities team and school administration will inspect campuses to assess water and heating systems on Wednesday afternoon. The district will also continue monitoring weather forecasts, temperatures, and road conditions to determine if schools can safely reopen on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

“Getting students back into the classroom is always the goal,” Superintendent Touchet added, “but I will only allow campuses to open if we are certain that it's safe to do so.”

Parents, staff, and community stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed by checking the LPSS website, following the district’s Facebook page, tuning into local media outlets, and enabling notifications on the J-Campus app for real-time updates.
 

January 15, 2025

LPSS is actively monitoring the weather forecast for the week of January 20 in collaboration with local meteorologists and the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Forecasts currently predict an extended period of freezing or below-freezing temperatures, with the potential for frozen precipitation.

According to weather experts, confidence in a wintry mix will increase as the Arctic air approaches. To ensure informed decision-making, the LPSS leadership team will meet on Friday morning to review the latest updates. If the forecast becomes more certain, a decision regarding school closures will be made at that time.

Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr., assures parents and the community that safety remains the district's highest priority:

"At LPSS, safety is more than a priority—it’s a core value. Every decision we make is driven by our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our students and staff."

Rest assured, any necessary school closures will be announced no later than Sunday morning. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate this weather situation. For the latest updates, please visit our website, follow us on Facebook, tune into local broadcast stations, or enable notifications in J-Campus.