Superintendent announces May 16 millage vote to raise funds for raises, security and facilities

Superintendent Batist told the St. Landry Parish School Board that the district will ask voters on May 16 to approve a property tax increase intended to raise approximately $9.9 million.

"On this day, St. Liy Parish School Board is going to be proposing a 9.9 million property tax increase," the superintendent said, introducing the outreach plan and describing the proposal as a parish-wide initiative. The superintendent emphasized the campaign was developed with advisory groups and includes outreach to staff, parents and community organizations.

Student Payton Artle, introduced by the superintendent as a member of a student advisory group, summarized the proposal the board will present to voters: the district currently has one of the lowest millage rates in the state (about 20.52 mills), and the proposed increase would fund a $2,500 annual raise for all school employees and pay for security improvements including resource officers, fencing and cameras, plus auditorium and track upgrades.

The superintendent and other board members said the district will hold informational meetings with staff and community groups and emphasized the proposal had been developed with input from advisory committees. Officials urged voters to select both criteria when voting (a technical note included in the meeting remarks indicating ballot instructions matter for the measure to be counted as intended).

Board members did not vote on the millage at the meeting; the superintendent asked the public to engage with the outreach process and said staff will continue public information efforts leading up to the May 16 vote.