LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The delayed opening of Broussard Charter Academy could return up to $3 million to the Lafayette Parish School System's budget for next year.

The district's deficit was projected at $18 million.

Chief Financial Officer Billy Guidry tells The Advertiser the deficit could drop to around $15 million after last week's announcement that Broussard Charter will not open as scheduled in 2015.

Officials previously estimated that nearly $7 million of the district's shortfall would be attributed to the charter schools, counting the now-delayed Broussard Charter opening. National Heritage Academies, which will operate Broussard Charter, plans to open the school in 2016-17.

In that scenario, Guidry said the district budget still would be impacted, but not this year.

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