Board calls May 3 election to renew five property tax millages; ICARE funding discussed

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted Jan. 9 to adopt a resolution calling a May 3, 2025 election to renew five property-tax millages that fund district operations and programs, including an ICARE (ADAP) millage that pays for drug- and violence-prevention and intervention services.

Superintendent and staff explained the renewals would not increase property tax rates; the measures are renewals to extend existing authorizations (many rolled forward in 10-year increments). Board members asked for clarification about what the ICARE/ADAP millage funds: staff said ICARE’s ADAP-linked revenue is placed in a grant account and that ICARE receives approximately $3,000,000 per year from the taxing authority while the millage is in effect.

Several board members pressed ICARE’s representatives on program focus and deployment after high-profile violent incidents. Public commenter and board members urged that ICARE shift more toward sustained mental-health professionals on campuses in violent neighborhoods rather than short-term response visits. ICARE representatives and district staff said ICARE specialists receive trauma-informed training, are assigned to particular schools and can follow referred students across grade levels; they also said ICARE lacks enough specialists to meet all needs. Board members asked the superintendent to schedule a fuller presentation on ICARE and how it coordinates with social workers and other district supports.

Board members also asked whether the millages cover the whole parish; staff said the district’s millages apply to the school system’s taxing district (East Baton Rouge Parish School System) and that separate municipalities such as Zachary, Baker and Central have their own tax structures.

The board approved the resolution to call the May 3 election by roll-call vote.