School Sets 3d Bond Vote

Trustees of the St. Helena Parish School District have set a third vote on a property tax increase and bond package smaller than two previous proposals voted down over the past 11 months.

Voters in the district will decide Nov. 4 on an $8 million bond measure, which will require a 15-mill property tax increase for 25 years, and a 20-mill, 10-year property tax hike to raise school employees’ annual salaries by an average of $4,000. Both measures must be approved before either can go into effect.

Bond proceeds will be used to renovate existing schools.

The board considered but rejected a $16 million bond proposal — supported by an increase in the property tax of 29 mills — to build a new junior high and high school complex. The rejected proposal also included a 7.5 mill tax hike that would have given teachers, but not other employees, a $3,000 raise.

In October 2007, an $18.9 million bond package supported by a 25-year, 40-mill tax increase failed by 210 votes. In July, a $20.4 million bond package for a new pre-K-12 school complex was defeated by 384 votes.

The school district has no rated debt. St. Helena Parish is located about 40 miles east of Baton Rouge.

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