Bossier Parish officials flag local revenue risks from proposed Amendments 3 and 4
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Summary
At its March 19 meeting the Bossier Parish School Board heard that Amendment 3 would use state trust funds to reduce teacher retirement liabilities and fund permanent pay increases, while Amendment 4 would allow parishes to opt out of inventory tax collection — a change the CFO said could cost the district more than $6 million.
Nasha Bamberg, the school system’s chief financial officer, told the Bossier Parish School Board on March 19 that proposed state constitutional changes could materially shift the district’s revenue and expense outlook.
“Sales tax is looking to be up, currently about 6 or 7% over the prior year,” Bamberg said in the board room as she reviewed the December 2025 financial statements. She added that ad valorem receipts were arriving on schedule and that the general fund showed a December loss that staff expect to offset once property tax revenues arrive in January and February.
Bamberg described two measures on the May ballot. She said Amendment 3 would use three state educational trust funds to pay down the teachers’ retirement unfunded accrued liability (UAL), reducing the employer retirement rate currently shown in district materials at about 19.1% to “14 something,” and providing permanent pay increases the presentation described as $2,250 for certified staff and $11.25 for professional staff.
On Amendment 4, Bamberg warned of a revenue risk for the district if parishes opt out of the inventory tax. “For us, the inventory tax is just over $6,000,000 for revenue for Bossier Parish School Board,” she said, noting the governor’s proposal is intended as an incentive for industry but would represent a significant local revenue stream if collected elsewhere.
Board members pressed for detail on replacement funding. One board member asked whether the state had identified a mechanism to make up the lost local revenue; Bamberg replied the state has said it will “make up the difference” to provide the raises but that the district has not yet seen the calculations or a definitive funding source.
The presentation tied these changes to other revenue and expense items the board is monitoring, including an expected decrease in the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) and continued management of group insurance and child nutrition funds.
Bamberg told the board Amendment 3 was listed on the secretary of state’s information as Amendment 3 and was proposed to be on the ballot on May 16. The board did not take formal action on either amendment at the meeting; members asked for continued monitoring and said they wanted more precise information on how any state adjustments would be reflected in district budgeting.
Next steps: district staff will seek more detailed calculations from the state and report back; the measures will appear on the May ballot as presented.
