A dispute over social media posts about school facility upgrades has led to a lawsuit alleging that an employee was terminated in violation of constitutional free speech protections. The complaint was filed by Jacarde M. Carter in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on March 18, 2026, naming Francis Touchet, Jr., individually and in his official capacity as Superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School Board, along with the Lafayette Parish School Board itself, as defendants.
According to court documents, Carter claims he was retaliated against after making two Facebook posts on February 6, 2026. These posts expressed concern over what he described as a lack of renovations at Northside High School—a school under the jurisdiction of the Lafayette Parish School Board where Carter worked as a teacher and coach. In one post quoted in the filing, Carter wrote: “But, what about the most competitive levels of school!?? It’s no competition in elementary and middle schools. But, in high school, we haven’t had major upgrades since the 80s! Can’t make this up.! Can’t win for losing!” In another post directed at the school system, he stated: “Dear LPSS, we are fighting for kids against these facilities.! Where would you send your kid if you were a parent? We are going to war with butter knives while everyone else that we’re competing with to get kids have fully loaded guns.! Can we get a little help over here? School hasn’t had any real renovations since before I was born! It’s hard to change the narratives like this.”
The complaint reports that Northside High School serves a predominantly black (90%) and economically disadvantaged (93%) student population based on information from the Louisiana Department of Education. Carter asserts that his comments were made as a private citizen rather than as an employee and were unrelated to his job duties. He also states that he removed both posts less than an hour after posting them at the request of his principal and athletic director.
Following these events, Carter alleges that Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. sent him a letter dated February 12, 2026 indicating possible disciplinary action for violating Policy EFAA—Employee Use of Social Media adopted by the board. Despite Carter’s response to this letter, he was notified on February 24 that his employment would be terminated effective February 25.
Carter’s lawsuit argues that this termination was motivated solely by his exercise of First Amendment rights protected under federal law (42 U.S.C §1983) and Article I §7 of the Louisiana Constitution. The complaint states: “Defendant Francis Touchet Jr.’s termination of Plaintiff’s employment with Defendant Lafayette Parish School Board was motivated solely by Plaintiff’s protected First Amendment activity.” It further alleges that such actions have caused injury not only to Carter but also created a chilling effect on constitutionally protected activity among other employees.
The legal filing outlines several claims for relief including First Amendment retaliation against Touchet individually; liability against the board under Monell v. Department of Social Services due to official policy or failure to train; and state constitutional violations with associated liability under Louisiana Civil Code articles cited in the document.
Carter is seeking multiple remedies from the court: reinstatement to his position as teacher and coach; compensatory damages covering non-economic losses such as anxiety, fear, humiliation, emotional distress, damage to reputation; economic damages including lost wages and benefits; punitive damages against Touchet individually; attorneys’ fees pursuant to federal statute; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff is represented by attorneys Brian F. Blackwell (Bar No. 18119) and William J. Wilson (Bar No. 36732) of Blackwell & Bullman LLC based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The case is identified as Civil Action No. 6:26-cv-866.
Source: 626cv866_Jacarde_Carter_v_Francis_Touchet_Complaint_Western_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
