(The Center Square) − Lawmakers are proposing legislation which would finally bring an end to the saga between the newly incorporated city of St. George and East Baton Rouge parish.
Two bills, including a constitutional amendment, aim to grant the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish the same authority as parishes to operate its own school system.
The amendment adds St. George to the list of communities already treated “as parishes” for education funding purposes, like Zachary, Central and Baker.
This does not create the school system but ensures that if St. George becomes a school system, it will be entitled to the same funding and constitutional treatment as other independent districts.
The amendment, set for a statewide vote on April 18, 2026 would add St. George to the list of existing community school systems — Central, Zachary, Baker, Monroe and Bogalusa — already recognized as parishes for educational purposes.
The current constitution ensures these systems have autonomy to manage schools and prohibits state funds from being used to discriminate in providing educational opportunities.
The proposed change retains these provisions while extending the same rights to St. George, aligning with a companion bill to establish the St. George Community School System, effective July 1, 2027, pending voter approval.
Both bills are authored by Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-East Baton Rouge.
The amendment also upholds existing mandates, including funding for free school materials, the Minimum Foundation Program formula for equitable school funding, and local tax requirements for school support.
The bills follow years of conflict between St. George and East Baton Rouge, rooted in disputes over school quality, taxation, and governance, culminating in St. George’s incorporation as a city in 2024.
According to SB25’s fiscal note, East Baton Rouge’s state MFP allocation would decrease by $17.6 million, while the new St. George system is projected to receive a $20 million state allocation.
An interim school board, appointed by the governor, would oversee the transition, with elected board members taking office later. The plan includes provisions for transferring assets from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and ensuring students can remain in their current schools during the transition.
