The Saint Mary Parish School Board on Oct. 9 received financial and enrollment updates showing weaker-than-expected sales-tax receipts and a year-over-year decline in student counts.

Miss Wasant, the district chief financial officer, reported the district is three months into the fiscal year and "our year to date sales tax collections from July to September are 8% unfavorable." She said the district collected $2,071,000 in September, about $268,000 below the monthly budgeted figure.

Dr. Faganbush, the superintendent, told the board the district's October 1 enrollment count for grades K-12 was 6,719, a decrease of 240 students from the prior year; the superintendent also gave a total enrollment head count of 7,008 when including all students and programs. He explained that in Louisiana the October 1 student counts are used as a base to calculate the state's minimum foundation program per-pupil funding.

The superintendent reminded the board and the public that Saint Mary Parish voters would decide on Oct. 11 whether to renew a 0.45% sales tax dedicated to supplementing salaries and benefits for district employees. He emphasized this item is a renewal "not a new tax." The board provided no new action on the reporting items; they were presented for information and budget monitoring.

The board's packet included financial statements through September; the CFO said there were no other significant items to report at this time.