TransparencyOversight & ethics enforcement

Lafayette Parish school system's annual audit drew a rare disclaimer of opinion and missed the state filing deadline

Confidence: Confirmed · 3 sourcesLafayette Parish · Oct 13, 2026

Subject of this story

Lafayette Parish School Board

Also named

Oversight

Louisiana Legislative Auditor

What happened

Louisiana's Legislative Auditor said in spring 2026 that the Lafayette Parish School System had not filed its 2025 audit by the March 31 deadline and that state funds could be withheld if the school board were placed on the noncompliance list. The prior auditor, Kolder, Slaven & Company, had issued a disclaimer of opinion, meaning it could not complete the audit; the state said that is rare for a Louisiana school system. About $153 million of the district's $362 million general fund comes from the state. Superintendent Francis Touchet said the delay was due to the audit firm, Kolder, Slaven & Company, and that the district sent the final draft a month earlier. The Legislative Auditor's site lists a Lafayette Parish School Board audit for fiscal year 2024-25 issued April 29, 2026.

Sources (3)

KPEL NewsAuditors said they couldn’t determine the financial condition of the district, and the school board missed the state’s deadline to submit its annual audit report.

KLFY“As a result, the School Board will be placed on the noncompliance list, and state funds may be withheld until the report is submitted.”

Louisiana Legislative Auditor: Lafayette Parish School Board audit reportsLafayette Parish School Board 04/29/2026 7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 Contracted

Response

Lafayette Parish School Board

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

I saw an update

Take action →