CROWLEY – The new school year is rapidly approaching for Acadia Parish and with it comes opposition to things that can and will hurt the schools in the parish by the board at its monthly meeting Monday night. The board notably passed resolutions to oppose the construction and operation of a commercial disposal well injection waste facility for disposal of exploration and production wasted fluids in Section 86 Township 8 South Range 2 East in Acadia Parish as well as a resolution to join over 30 other parishes and other groups in the Louisiana School Board Association’s (LSBA) lawsuit against the state of Louisiana to argue against the state’s education reforms. The injection well opposition resolution made the Acadia Parish School Board (APSB) the first united body against the well and the hope for President Gene Daigle, who’s district will be construction site, is that many more will join the cause. “We need to be unified on this issue,” he said. He was not the only one who was grateful for the board’s backing as several community members from the area were on hand, including Lauren Gossen, who voiced her opinion. “I hope we see unity in the parish against this,” she said. “We’ve got a fight up the road.” The resolution clearly states that the opposition is based upon the potential hazards to students in nearby Branch, Mire and Rayne schools; other students across the district; citizens of the parish; latent destruction to the farming industry; dormant dangers to all aspects of transportation, including school buses, due to an increase in the number of 18-wheeler trucks; and finally, with critical importance, prospects of permanent damage to the Chicot Aquifer which would negatively impact all aspects of life in Acadia Parish, Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana. A public hearing has been set for July 12 at the Rayne Civic Center that will inform the area more about the well’s proposed construction. The basis of the lawsuit stems from the legality of the state to pay for the voucher program with public funds that will now be going to a private institution. Moreover, a question of the separation of church and state can also be levied in many cases as many of the private institutions are parochial schools. The state however argues that it has the right to make sure students are being educated. So far at least 32 school districts have joined the LSBA and many other education-related unions will likely join as well as many more school districts. Taking on the state is a daunting task as many expect it will drag on proceeds as long as possible, but the board voiced the opinion that not doing anything is a far scarier idea. One other voice of opposition was heard when the board expressed a symbolic “nay” against changes to the GBD policy that is being changed due to state legislation. The changes mean the school district’s superintendent can move unilaterally in the hiring of supervisory and administrative personnel. The changes also drew the ire of Acadia Parish Superintendent John Bourque. “I’d like to vote ‘no’ too,” he said. Later in his comments, he explained how the board and he have provided a great checks and balances system for each other. As part of the new policy, the board learned that the superintendent had designated the school’s assistant principal, Wendell Prudhomme, as its new principal. The superintendent also announced to better help Rayne High prepare for the new school year in a timely manner, this year, a disciplinarian will be put in place at the school and the assistant principal position will be revisited next year. The board’s next meeting is set for August 6, the week prior to teachers and students returning to class.