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Ascension Parish board hears $359.3 million 2026–27 budget proposal, adopts amended 2025–26 budget and closes public hearing
Summary
The Ascension Parish School Board adopted amendments to the 2025–26 budget, heard a presentation on the proposed 2026–27 general fund budget totaling $359.3 million, and closed the public hearing after presenters requested postponing final adoption to July 14 to assess state funding changes.
The Ascension Parish School Board on Tuesday adopted amended 2025–26 general and special revenue fund budgets and received a detailed presentation of the proposed 2026–27 general fund budget, which proposes $359.3 million in revenues and $354.92 million in expenditures.
Board members voted to open and then close the public hearing required for budget consideration. Presenter Miss Jackson told the board the amended 2025–26 package includes a $7.1 million one‑time state stipend, a $5.3 million one‑time pay allocation to staff and a $3 million increase for retiree insurance. For 2026–27, revenues are budgeted to increase by $24.8 million over the current year, including a projected 6.75% rise in sales and use tax and state funding expected to exceed $118 million under current assumptions.
Miss Jackson said the proposed budget includes a $1,500 pay increase for certified and non‑certified employees, additional instructional and maintenance staffing, transportation and information‑technology increases, and a $3 million rise in retiree insurance. On parent paraprofessional supports, she outlined a plan to fund Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification at $451 per trainee and estimated an overall cost of about $732,000 if the district finances broader participation.
She also said a June 7 state action by Gov. Jeff Landry could reduce the parish's MFP allocation and asked the board to postpone final adoption to July 14, 2026 so staff can assess local fiscal impacts. "We are asking that the budget adoption be postponed to July 14th, 2026 to allow for accurate assessment of local fiscal and bank," Miss Jackson said.
The board recorded roll calls on multiple motions and carried the motions on the amended 2025–26 budgets and the closing of the public hearing. The public notice for the budgets was published May 28, 2026, and the amended and proposed budgets were available for public inspection since that date.
Why this matters: The proposed 2026–27 budget sets personnel pay priorities and allocates increases for operations and retiree insurance; a change in state foundation funding could materially alter local revenues and required adjustments before final adoption.
What happens next: The presenter requested the board postpone final adoption to July 14 for an updated fiscal assessment; the board closed the public hearing and will consider next steps before final adoption.
