LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Initial projections show that new charter schools in Lafayette Parish could mean a $7 million loss for the local district in the next fiscal year.

School system Chief Financial Officer Billy Guidry tells The Advertiser the district expects revenues to decrease by about $9.6 million, because state per-pupil funding — about $9,200 per student — will follow the students to the charter schools they attend.

However, the district could also reduce its expenses by about $2.7 million because of the charter schools, largely due to the expected loss of teaching slots. Other expense reductions would come in the form of lower transportation and meal costs, among others.

During a special Lafayette Parish School Board meeting Thursday, Guidry cautioned that those figures are only preliminary.

More From 97.3 The Dawg