The Iberia Parish School Board has voted to push back the start of school to September 8.
The vote followed much discussion.
During that discussion, many teachers and parents spoke, as did board members.
Board member Raymond "Shoe-do" Lewis made an emotional statement, and started by showing a photo of his son, Garon, who was 17 when he was shot and killed last fall.
"His death wasn't by choice," Lewis said of his son. "I wouldn't want to see any parent go through this. I have lost six friends in Iberia Parish to this coronavirus. I can't change what happened to my son, but I sure can impact what happens to your children."
The audience applauded when Lewis' statement was complete.
The board also agreed to pay teachers for the month of August; this will ensure that brand-new teachers don't lose a paycheck. Most school boards split up a teacher's annual salary into 12 payments; new hires wouldn't get their first check until school starts.
