Amendment 2 would decide whether St. George can operate its own schools
Voters across Louisiana will decide May 16 whether the St. George Community School System can officially move forward. The proposal appears on the ballot as Constitutional Amendment 2 and would give the new school system the authority to operate and receive funding like other public school systems in the state.
St. George Mayor Dustin Yates said the vote marks a major step in a process that started more than a decade ago. Supporters first pushed for a separate school district in southeast East Baton Rouge Parish. They were later told a city had to be formed first. Now, with the City of St. George in place, leaders are returning to the original goal.
Which schools could fall under the district?
Yates said the proposed district would include Woodlawn High, Woodlawn Middle, Woodlawn Elementary, Shenandoah Elementary and Jefferson Terrace Academy. He also mentioned vacant and future school properties inside city limits, along with charter schools already serving the area.
He said the city has already seen what local control can do through public works. Yates pointed to faster response times and neighborhood improvements as proof St. George can manage services differently than East Baton Rouge Parish. He argued the same local model could work in education.
Funding remains a key part of the debate
One of the biggest questions is money. Yates said East Baton Rouge schools inside St. George currently spend about $40 million a year, while the St. George tax base generates about $100 million in local tax revenue. He argued that would give the district enough funding to operate without creating new local costs.
Early voting runs May 2 through May 9. Election Day is May 16.