St. John the Baptist Parish School Board certifies renewal of 10.56‑mill tax to fund employee pay

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board formally canvassed and declared carried the results of a special election on April 29, 2023, that renews a 10.56‑mill special tax to support salary improvements for teachers and district employees.

According to the board’s Procès Verbal, the certified tabulation shows 1,296 votes in favor of the millage renewal and 320 votes against, a majority of 976 votes. The renewal covers a 10‑year period beginning with the year 2024 and ending with the year 2033 and is estimated to raise about $8,140,000 in an entire year from the levy of the tax.

Board Member Jennifer Frizzell moved the resolution to canvass and declare the returns; Samuel Mamou seconded the motion. The board recorded seven yeas — Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Vicknair, Wallace — and four absences; the motion carried. The resolution directs publication of the results and preparation of a Procès Verbal for the Secretary of State and other recordkeeping as required by law.

The resolution text notes that a portion of funds collected from the tax will be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems as required by law. The notice of special election attached to the official proceedings estimated the election cost at $73,000; results by precinct are available from the board secretary or via the Louisiana Secretary of State’s voter portal.

Next steps described by the board include publishing the results as required by statute and forwarding a certified Procès Verbal to the Secretary of State and the Clerk of Court. No further debate or amendments to the Proposition were recorded at the meeting.