Since 1998, the people of East Baton Rouge Parish have strongly supported a set of three tax levies, totaling a one-cent sales tax, for construction of schools and support of teachers and school operations.
They’re up for renewal this year, and we encourage voters to again renew these vital funding elements for public schools.
Early voting starts Saturday for a week, and election day is April 28. Voters in East Baton Rouge will vote on the tax propositions, excluding the separate school districts of Baker, Zachary and Central.
Proposition 1: Facilities and Technology
The largest of the three propositions, although not by much, is the 51 percent of the penny sales tax dedicated to a pay-as-you-go plan for school construction, renovation and technology enhancements.
Over 10 years, it will be used for either building new schools or adding classrooms and other buildings at some existing sites. Overall, the tax plan is part of a long-term shrinking of the system to reduce the number of older campuses. Some new school sites would be added in the fast-growing southeastern part of the parish.
We believe that it is important for efficiency's sake to right-size the system, which has seen some breakaway districts and a decline in school population over time. School closures are always controversial politically. This plan gradually reduces the number of campuses over a decade. Some schools would be consolidated.
Schooling also requires a commitment to adding and maintaining technology for both instruction and administration. Testing is typically on computers, for example, a broad shift from the old days.
Proposition 2: Discipline and Truancy
The smallest of the three propositions is 8 percent of one penny, dedicated to truancy and alternative education. Those are a continuing problem, and they require far more effective interventions than just trying to round up a few kids playing hooky.
The current plan is for a special center to help challenged students and their parents.
Proposition 3: Teacher Pay
Every system employee gets a pay supplement from 41 percent of the one penny total tax.
Keeping salaries competitive with the systems locally and in the neighboring parishes is essential to schools. This is not a pay raise but maintains the supplement in place since the 1998 election.
Overall, these propositions represent investment in the long-term educational progress of Baton Rouge. We encourage voters to approve all three propositions.
