Committee approves ballot language for St. George school-system constitutional amendment after public concern over term “community”

The House Civil Law and Procedure Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 25 as amended, clearing ballot language for a constitutional amendment that would treat a St. George school system in East Baton Rouge Parish “as a parish” for school-operation purposes.

Supporters and opponents at the committee hearing urged precision in the wording on the ballot. Several parents and residents said the phrase “St. George Community School System” may create legal uncertainty if the district boundaries are coterminous with city limits and urged the committee to use “City of St. George School System” or “St. George Municipal School System.” Danielle Altavan told the committee the constitution already uses city or municipal terminology for coterminous districts and that voters deserve clear language. “The term community school system … might imply a different structure or a set of boundary definitions that may not be applicable…