St. John the Baptist Parish School Board certifies $58 million bond election

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on May 12 certified the results of a special election held April 30 that authorizes the district to incur up to $58,000,000 in general obligation bonds for school construction, improvements, equipment and related projects.

According to the certified tabulation presented at the meeting, 952 ballots were cast in favor of the proposition and 293 against, a majority of 659 votes. The Board declared the proposition carried and directed that the results be promulgated and filed with the Secretary of State and the Clerk of Court as required by law.

The bond proposition’s language says the bonds would run up to 20 years with interest not exceeding 6% per annum, and would be payable from ad valorem taxes levied and collected under Article VI, Section 33 of the Louisiana Constitution and applicable statutory authority. The proposition statement includes a note that there would be no estimated increase in the millage rate to be levied in the first year of issuance above the 11 mills currently used to pay other general obligation bonds.

Board members recorded the official roll call on the canvass resolution and adopted a Procès Verbal to be forwarded to state and parish officials, as required. Mrs. Schum thanked the public for supporting the measure and Mr. Derron Cook publicly thanked voters for passage of the bond during the presentations portion of the meeting.

Next steps identified by the Board included publication of the election results and administrative filing of the canvass documents with state and parish offices to make the certification official.