Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Industrial Tax Exemption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School board appoints superintendent as voting member on ITEP committee after heated debate
Summary
On Feb. 13 the St. Tammany Parish School Board voted to designate Superintendent Jabia as the board—s voting member on the parish—s Industrial Tax Exemption Program committee for a one-year term after prolonged discussion about local control and process.
The St. Tammany Parish School Board voted Feb. 13 to designate Superintendent Jabia as the district—s voting member on the parish Industrial Tax Exemption Program committee for a one-year term running from Feb. 14, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
Board members debated whether the board president or the superintendent should serve as the committee—s voting representative and whether the appointment should be time-limited. The board adopted an amendment setting the authorization to begin 02/14/2025 and continue through 12/31/2025, and the final motion carried with the vote tallied as 9 yays, 4 nays and 1 abstention.
The vote matters because Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) decisions can affect the parish—s tax base and, by extension, school funding. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) guidelines and a recent executive order shaped the requirement that each parish designate a voting member to the ITEP review committee; board members said LED asked the district to submit a resolution naming the designated voting member.
Board Member Breaux pressed for annual board oversight, saying, "I would like to put a 1 year term." Several other members said the superintendent is better positioned to attend ITEP meetings and to work with the district—s financial staff. Board Member Hanson said the superintendent and the chief financial officer can provide consistent, technical input: "Our CFO is going to be there, so they can consistent they can always be there. The board president can refer to us and get our opinions on things." Superintendent Jabia confirmed he would attend ITEP meetings and report back to the board.
Board members and staff described the practical timeline tied to ITEP reviews: after LED or the state issues notice, the parish ITEP committee has a compressed calendar (officials noted a three-day notice of approval at the state level, then a 15-day window to schedule a public meeting and a 45-day overall period to submit the parish—s vote). That schedule factored into members— concern that there may not be time for the full board to review applications before a committee vote.
Public commenters urged elected board representation at ITEP committee meetings. Retired teacher Lee Barrios, speaking during public comment, said, "Each of you were elected by your tax paying constituents. So I think each of you should consider that," arguing that a board member, not the superintendent, should be the primary voting representative.
The board—s action designates who will cast the parish—s single official vote at the ITEP committee; board members emphasized that the designation can be changed by future board resolution if the board chooses.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution appointing the superintendent as the voting member to the St. Tammany ITEP committee (term 02/14/2025
12/31/2025): Passed (9 yays, 4 nays, 1 abstention); mover: Board Member Baker; second: Dr. Peterson. (Extensive public and board debate preceded the vote.)
- Consent agenda (items b, d, f, g, h, j; item e removed from consent and deferred): Passed unanimously.
- Retirement resolutions (certificated and support staff as listed in board docs): Both motions carried unanimously.
- Revisions to school board policy DJED (bids/requests for proposals/quotations for public works): Passed (12 yeas, 2 nays).
Context and next steps
Board members said the person designated by the board is the parish—s voting representative for any ITEP applications that come before the committee; the superintendent and central-office staff said they will provide application materials, financial analysis and a report to the board for consideration when time allows. Several members asked staff to provide written LED guidance and application materials in advance when an ITEP is imminent so the board can offer direction if required.
The board may revisit its designation at a future meeting by passing a new resolution. The board president and superintendent both said they expect to attend ITEP meetings whether or not they are the designated voting member.
