Former Lafayette superintendent Cooper rejects school board offer

Pat Cooper, the former superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School System, has declined a financial offer from the school board.

On Wednesday, the board voted to offer Cooper "salary and benefits for the remainder of his contract, to include judicial interest." An exact amount was not specified.

"...It is not a fair and just settlement for the damage to my reputation and ability to continue my career, nor does it provide for adequate understanding by every school board member and school board attorney in this state that they cannot attempt to ruin an innocent person's professional and personal life by way of cowardly and reprehensible acts," Cooper said in a statement.

Cooper had a little more than a year left on his contract when the board fired him in November 2014 amid alleged violations of state law and board policies. However, judges in district and appeals courts have since determined the board had no legal basis to terminate Cooper's contract.

The Louisiana Supreme Court rejected the board's appeal to hear the case.

"We've made a fair offer that will fulfill his contract, make him whole as well as pay his lawyer. That's exactly what he pleaded for in his contract dispute," said Lafayette Parish School Board President Erick Knezek. "Now, it is up to him to accept what is fair and just and allow our community to put the Cooper saga behind us. We have many more challenging issues to focus on like school security, closing the achievement gap and improving school performance."

Previously, Cooper and his attorney, Lane Roy, had asked for more than $4 million for lost wages and damages. However, there have been indications that both sides were discussing a potential settlement.

"I am not looking for a $4.1 million payday," Cooper said in the statement. "I am only attempting to work with you to find a settlement that is honorable and fair."