Keeping the Momentum Going

From 2019 to now, Hannah Smith Mason has been delivering her prior campaign promises of improving communications, boosting school-esteem, and increasing efficiency. She has advocated effectively for the schools, students, friends, businesses, and neighbors in District 8 and throughout Lafayette Parish. She voted to open schools as soon as the Governor allowed and continues to strengthen relationships between the School Board and community leaders in LEDA, LCG, ACA, LAPESC, Love Our Schools, Boys and Girls Club, Rotary, YMCA, UL Lafayette and many others. 

The following has been accomplished in Hannah's term through requests to the Superintendent, proper budgeting, and new policies agreed upon by the 9 member elected School Board and teamwork by the entire Lafayette Parish School System and its community partners:

● NEW LPSS HEADQUARTERS for our entire community to be proud of as a leading district in Louisiana

● RAISED TEACHERS SALARIES 

● Planning Committee for COMPLETE REBUILD of NEW LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL projected to open Fall 2025

● In addition to NEW WING at Woodvale completed, ADDITIONAL NEW WING for 5th Grade and Cafeteria expansion at Woodvale Elementary

● NEW WING completed at LJ Alleman (LJA)

● NEW WING completed at Broadmoor Elementary for 5th grade moved from Edgar Martin Middle

● Butler buildings removed from Broadmoor, Woodvale, and LJA (ongoing at LJA) 

● NEW CROSSWALKS around Woodvale, LJA, and Broadmoor in partnership with LCG and City Councilwoman Liz Webb Hebert

● Grass and sidewalks cleaned up at Milton, Woodvale, and LJA

● 3 NEW SCHOOLS BUILT: Carencro Heights, now named Bob Lily Carencro Elementary, Prairie Elementary, and Truman Elementary at new location

● Improved drive-up appearances and fencing at many schools including Youngsville Middle and GT Linden in partnership with Mayor Ken Ritter

● Provided WiFi connectivity DECREASING DIGITAL DIVIDE in partnership with Love Our Schools and many community partners

● 1-to-1 devices for the entire district- EVERY STUDENT HAS A TABLET

● Improved focus on Teacher Recruitment and Retention in partnership with UL Lafayette College of Education and Human Development

● ENHANCED SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY measures in partnership with Sheriff Mark Garber and the Lafayette Police Dept

● HIGHEST PERFORMANCE SCORES in LPSS district history- #1 in Large Districts in the state

● D schools reduced from eight (8) in 2019 to just one (1) in 2022
 

● No more F schools since 2022
 

● INCREASED GRADUATION RATE
 

● Students with Disabilities achieved the highest performance level in district history
 

● MOVED UP 13 spots since 2019- now #16 District in Louisiana
 

● #5 in LA for score growth increases for years 2019-2022
 

● Social and Emotional support for students significantly increased
 

● TRIPLED DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES for high school students to get college credits while in high school
 

● INCREASED # of WORK-FORCE READY graduates through career and technical education improvements and business community partnerships

● Better SCHOOL WEBSITES by streamlining them across LPSS and complete overhaul of the main www.lpssonline.com where important updates, departments, events, and good news are easier to find