House approves constitutional amendment to put St. George independent school district on April ballot

The Louisiana House voted to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the April ballot that would permit the incorporated city of St. George in East Baton Rouge Parish to form an independent school district.

Representative Davis moved the bill from the calendar and explained the measure as a joint resolution by Senator Rick Edmonds to amend the state constitution so St. George “may create and operate its own independent school district.” Representative Davis said, “I urge you to please consider voting for this bill,” and described the measure as the final step in a more-than-15-year process by St. George residents to pursue a separate school system.

The debate centered on whether the constitutional question should go to voters before statutory details are finalized. Representative Marcel pressed for clarity on practical effects, asking whether current schools in the area “would become the schools of Saint George” and how many schools would be affected; Representative Davis answered that there are “six schools in that district currently.” Representative Marcel also asked whether the ballot language would place the question before all state voters; Representative Davis confirmed the measure would go statewide on the ballot.

Representative Jordan urged opponents to vote no, citing court findings and demographic changes in the incorporation maps. Jordan said a judge found the incorporation petitions reduced registered voters from roughly 71,436 in 2013 to 51,984 in 2018 and said, “A significant portion of the reduction came from low income households and a racial mix of African American and Hispanic communities.” Jordan and other opponents expressed concern that the statutory companion bill—previously debated—addresses student assignment and related funding rules while the constitutional amendment before the House does not.

Lawmakers also debated funding mechanics. Representative Jordan noted that while Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) dollars would “follow the child,” ad valorem property tax revenues would not, saying that could leave East Baton Rouge Parish paying for students while not receiving the full local tax revenue tied to them. Several members argued the legislature should have statutory language defining which students could attend which schools and how budgets would operate before sending the constitutional question to voters.

Supporters said the measure only sends the question to voters. Representative Davis said, “All this is doing is sending this to the voters in April to approve or disapprove a school district,” and described the action as the last step requested by St. George residents after petitions, judicial review and local votes.

The House adopted the motion to call the bill and then approved final passage by roll-call machine vote: 70 ayes, 23 nays. The motion was moved by Representative Davis; no second was recorded in the transcript. The resolution will appear on the April ballot if companion statutory steps proceed as discussed.

Background and context: supporters noted St. George organizers ran petition drives, prevailed in court, and passed a local transfer tax with high voter support; opponents argued the demographic and boundary changes and the lack of an operational budget or student assignment plan made the timing premature. The House record shows extended floor debate with multiple members urging caution and asking for statutory specifics before implementation.

Officials and observers should note the constitutional amendment itself does not specify statutory rules for student assignment or local tax treatment; those matters were discussed as part of a separate companion statutory bill referenced during debate.