Baker school tax up for renewal

BAKER — The Baker School Board will ask voters March 24 to renew a 38.2-mill property tax that supplements other state and local funding for the city’s school system.

The millage already was in place to supplement East Baton Rouge Parish school operations when the Baker system split from the parish in 2003, and Baker voters agreed earlier to transfer the tax to the city system once it began operating Baker schools.

The tax had a 10-year limit, however, and expires after this year. If voters agree to renew it, the tax will resume in 2013 for another 10 years.

The School Board also collects a 5-mill property tax authorized by the state constitution and levies a 2 percent sales and use tax to help fund its operations.

The proposition authorizes the board to spend the revenues for additional support to the school system, including salaries, benefits, operations and maintenance.

In the 2009-10 school year, the 38.2 mills brought in about $1.73 million, according to audit figures.

The system’s total revenues were $17.97 million that year.

School Superintendent Ulysses Joseph said he hopes voters will remember that the proposition renews a tax already on the books.

“The board has used the
tax to pay some salaries and fund some renovations,” Joseph said.

Joseph said the millage is an important part of the school district’s revenue stream.

Early voting for the election begins March 10 and continues through March 17.

Early ballots may be cast at the Registrar of Voters satellite office at the intersection of Main and Singletary streets in Baker.

Races for Baker mayor, police chief and City Council members also will be on the ballot, along with presidential races and political party committee seats.