As early voting for the May 16 ballot approaches, Leaders for a Better Louisiana will take an individual look at each of the five amendments being presented to voters. Our hope is that citizens will use this information as a resource to familiarize themselves with each of the amendments before they cast their votes.
Here is our analysis of Amendment #2. You can find our review of all of the amendments here.
Creates the St. George Community School System
What It Does: This amendment effectively allows for the creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish. Technically speaking, the school system is created by another piece of legislation passed in the 2025 legislative session. Passage of this amendment is needed, however, to give it the constitutional authority to receive state MFP and textbook funding and raise local tax revenues.
Background:
For many years, residents in an unincorporated area in southern East Baton Rouge Parish have sought to create an independent school district. Efforts to do so going back to 2013 failed, largely because the Legislature was hesitant to create a new school district in an unincorporated area that was largely a collection of small neighborhoods.
That set residents on a multi-year course of holding elections to incorporate a new city of St. George. Their first effort failed, but on a second attempt, voters approved the new city in 2019. After a bitter legal fight, the state Supreme Court ratified the election results in 2024.
With the incorporation of St. George complete, the Legislature passed legislation in 2025 to create the new school district along with this constitutional amendment which is needed to implement it. For the district to move forward, the constitutional amendment is required to pass statewide and in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Comments: The creation of the City of St. George and the desire of residents in that area to create a new school district has sparked significant controversy in East Baton Rouge Parish that has lasted well over a decade.
Proponents of the amendment say they are seeking more localized control of schools in their area. Opponents cite concerns about increased racial segregation and the fact that the parish school system will lose significant funding to a new school system. If this amendment passes, East Baton Rouge will have five school districts: the parish district and community systems in Baker, Zachary, Central, and St. George.
Our Recommendation: No position. Though voters across the state must vote on this amendment, in practical terms it is a local issue and has no significant impact at the state level.