School Board Counters Ex-Superintendent’s Lawsuit

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The Lafayette Parish School Board will counter a lawsuit by former superintendent Pat Cooper with a claim for any expenses he authorized beyond the board's 2014-15 budget.

Board attorney Bob Hammond says the amount is being reviewed. The Advocate (http://bit.ly/12palKQ) reports that such expenses were estimated last month at up to $1.6 million.

The Daily Advertiser reports that the board voted 7-2 Wednesday for the move.

Cooper refused to implement the board's budget, saying cuts would hurt schools and the board failed to follow state law.

He asked a judge to declare the budget invalid, but was turned down. He has asked for a retrial.

The board also authorized attorneys to appeal a ruling that it must turn over reports about its investigation of Cooper to The Daily Advertiser.