Organized Teacher’s Protest In Baton Rouge Forces School Closures

As more and more teachers journey towards the State Capitol in Baton Rouge to voice their opinions and concerns towards state legislatures and other government officials, many school districts around Acadiana have no option but to shut the doors while the educators exercise their right to protest. Thousands of educators are protesting Governor Jindal's education reform in Baton Rouge, yet schools simply do not have enough "man power" to accommodate all of it's students. As of now, we know that the following parishes have called-off class for this Thursday, March 15th.

The parishes closing the doors to it's public schools are:

1. Evangeline Parish

2. Vermillion Parish

3.  St.  Martin Parish

School officials are calling the day off  a "Professional Developmental Day." Still, many of the parishes that have teachers taking part in the organized protest are requiring their teachers to use one of their personal days off, and not a "sick day." Schools in Lafayette Parish WILL be open Thursday and many of the classes will be staffed with substitute teachers. However, Superintendent of Lafayette Parish Schools Dr. Pat Cooper says if parents don't feel comfortable sending their kids to school, absences will be excused.

We will continue to monitor this story, and if there are any more closures announced, we will pass the announcement on to you here on the website, on-air, and on our facebook page.