Lafayette, LA - Empower PAC, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce's political action committee, announced the endorsement of Kermit Bouillion, a Republican candidate for the Lafayette Parish School Board in District 5.

Regarding the endorsement of Bouillion, Empower PAC Chairman Frank Neuner stated, “For the past four years, Kermit has been a rock-solid advocate for the students and teachers of Lafayette. His perseverance and dedication has been one of the few bright spots on a board more intent on arguing over personal differences than improving the quality of education. We couldn't be prouder of the incumbent in District 5.”

“I'm proud to have the endorsement of our business leaders” said Bouillion, “When I considered running for re-election, some friends and colleagues asked whether I was tired of sticking up for the children only to be voted down again and again. I'm not tired, I'm just getting started! As a father and a former teacher, I know that if there is one thing worth fighting for, it's our children and our grandchildren. That's exactly why I decided to run for re-election. I hope I win. I want the opportunity to work with fellow school board members who care more deeply about our children than they do about making the 6:00 o'clock news attacking someone. Lafayette Parish deserves a group of leaders who will stand up for our children and our teachers.”

Bouillion, a longtime resident of Lafayette parish and Acadiana, is a retired teacher with 20 years of classroom experience. Kermit holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Education from the University of Louisiana (formally USL) and also spent time working the oilfields of Louisiana. He and his wife, Deborah DesOrmeaux Bouillion, have six daughters, all of whom attended public school, and thirteen grandchildren. As residents of Duson, they are parishioners of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

“Despite the dysfunction of our school board, there have been incumbents who consistently voted to improve student achievement by supporting the community developed Turnaround Plan,” added Jason El Koubi, a non-voting member of Empower PAC's board of directors and President & CEO of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. “We commend the hard fought efforts of those individuals. Our community deserves leaders who will remain focused on improving student achievement and preparedness. To that end, Empower PAC worked to identify candidates committed to implementing 'a Common Vision for Our Future,'  a set of principles and priorities for Lafayette's public schools endorsed by 13 community organizations. The vision stresses good governance practices, a commitment to evidence-based instruction, community engagement, and forging a path towards facilities we can be proud of.”

Empower PAC, a non-partisan political action arm of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, works diligently to support qualified candidates with the leadership and commitment to end the dysfunction of our school board and put the focus back on what matters most: the students.

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