Constitutional Amendment Set April 18

What has been called the most important election in the history of St. George will be on the ballot statewide on Saturday, April 18. It is a constitutional amendment to create the new St. George Community School System.

In the early 1990’s, some lawmakers representing East Baton Rouge Parish began a movement to create new independent school districts similar to those in Texas. The result has been the creation of the Baker, Zachary, and Central school systems, each by constitutional amendment.

The constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot April 18 was authored in the Senate by Sen. Rick Edmonds and in the House by Rep. Emily Chenevert.

It would create a new school system co-extensive with the boundaries of the City of St. George with its own elected School Board.

All schools belonging to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System in St. George would be transferred to the new St. George School Board, which will collect the existing taxes, hire teachers and administrators, and operate the schools.

If approved by the voters, the new school system will go into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

In order to amend the state constitution, the proposed amendment must pass in the City of St. George, East Baton Rouge Parish, and the State of Louisiana.