By Harlan Kirgan
Editor
OPELOUSAS — St. Landry Parish School Board members are discussing raising pay for their employees with a property tax.
But the tax for a pay raise discussed at a Jan. 27 meeting of the Board’s Finance Committee found little consensus other than it is needed.
The committee was presented with three options for pay raises for certified employees and support workers.
Board member Raymond Cassimere said, “I’m 150% for teachers. It is needed.” But he added the Board should make sure the employees will back the raise at the ballot.
Mary Ellen Donatto, a Eunice Board member, said a survey of employees needs to be done to check the interest level.
Superintendent Patrick Jenkins said a survey has not been done and cited the recent virus attack on the school system’s computers as a reason.
Willie Singleton-Guillory, of the St. Landry Federation of Teachers, said the tax would be supported at an election if employees are assured the money would go to pay raises.
“Who would not support something that would increase salaries toward teachers and school employees?” she asked.
Board member Hazel Sias said a survey is needed because many employees do not belong to the organizations.
The discussion about employee support is a result of the defeat in 2018 of two tax proposals, one for employee raises and the other for a school improvement plan. The proposals were rejected by more than 70% of voters.
Jenkins said the raise is need to keep employees.
Board member Josh Boudreaux said, “I don’t think there is a soul in this room that doesn’t want to give a raise to a teacher. I think we all agree that.”
Boudreaux said there isn’t enough time to put the question to voters in March. The failed tax proposals in 2018 cost the School Board about $125,000 in election costs.
“We don’t have the funds to be throwing that type of money around,” Boudreaux said.
Board member Kyle Boss said the School Board also has to go to the community with its proposal.
Four options were presented to the School Board. They are:
Option A: $1,500 teacher raise and $1,000 support staff raise; $3.4 million annual cost; 5.5 mills estimated; cost to $150,000 homeowner, $41 annually; and cost to $250,000 homeowner, $96 annually.
Option B: $1,000 teacher raise and $1,000 support staff raise; $2.6 million annual cost; 4.2 mills estimated; cost to $150,000 homeowner, $31 annually; and cost to $250,000 homeowner, $73 annually.
Option C: $1,500 teacher raise and $1,500 support staff raise; $3.7 million annual cost; 6 mills estimated; cost to $150,000 homeowner, $45; and cost to $250,000 homeowner, $105 annually.
Option D: $2,000 teacher raise and $2,000 support staff raise; $5.2 million annual cost; 8.4 mills estimated; cost to $150,000 homeowner, $61 annually; and cost to $250,000 homeowner, $146 annually.
If an election is held on May 9, the deadline to file paperwork is March 16. The election is estimated to cost $108,000 to $125,000. The it passes the tax collection would begin in December 2020 and the raises would be effective 2020-2021.
If an election were held Nov. 3, the deadline to file paperwork would be June 17. The election cost is estimated at $50,000. The tax collection would begin December 2021 and the raises would be effective 2021-2022.
If any were Dec. 5, the deadline for paperwork would be Oct. 12. The election cost is estimated at $39,000 and the raises would be effective 2021-2022.
