Bottom Line Up Front: West Baton Rouge Parish voters decide November 15th whether to renew two 12-mill school taxes generating $18.8 million annually for teacher and staff salaries. Both are renewals of existing taxes, not new assessments—but together they represent 34% of the school budget and 61% of local funding. Failure means cutting one-third of district operations.

PORT ALLEN — The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board is asking voters to renew two critical property taxes that exclusively fund employee salaries and benefits. Superintendent Dr. Chandler Smith has been presenting at municipal councils and community meetings, emphasizing the taxes maintain current operations rather than expand them.

Two Taxes, One Purpose

Both November ballot propositions serve the same function—funding teacher and staff compensation—but appear separately because voters originally approved them in different years.

Proposition No. 1 of 2 (Tax Renewal):

• 12 mills generating $9.4 million annually
• For "improving and maintaining salaries and benefits of teachers and other public school personnel"
• Provides "additional support" to elementary and secondary schools

Proposition No. 2 of 2 (Tax Renewal):

• 12 mills generating $9.4 million annually
• For "providing school employee salaries and benefits"

Both run 10 years, from 2027 through 2036.

"It's easy to explain—it's all teacher pay, our staff salaries and benefits," Smith told audiences. "Over 75% of our budget is salaries and benefits. Most of our money goes to people to educate kids."

The school board renews each separately to maintain the legal framework under which voters originally authorized the funding.

Budget Impact: $18.8M Annually

The combined $18.8 million represents:

• 34% of the $54.7 million general fund budget
• 61% of all local school funding (district collects $30.6M locally)
• Over half the district's 428 teachers live in West Baton Rouge
• 65% of all district employees live in the parish

Without renewal, the district faces eliminating $18.8 million—equivalent to cutting one-third of total operations.

"The money comes back here for families," Smith said.

Cost to Homeowners

For a home assessed at $250,000 after homestead exemption:

• Each 12-mill tax: ~$84 annually ($7/month)
• Combined cost: ~$168 annually ($14/month)

For a $150,000 home: ~$100/year total For a $350,000 home: ~$235/year total

What Taxpayers Get: Performance Results

The district has shown measurable improvement:

Academic Rankings:

• Moved from 29th to 22nd among Louisiana's 69 school districts
• One of only 25 districts statewide showing growth in mastery performance
• Third consecutive year of gains

Literacy: K-3rd grade rates increased 11%

Career Programs: 347 high school students in certification programs (welding, nursing, electrical, culinary, cosmetology); 117 in early college earning 60 credit hours at no cost to families

"We don't want cost to be a barrier for any kid," Smith said. "Welding supplies are expensive, electrical supplies are expensive. But we want kids prepared when they leave us."

Competing for Teachers

The taxes enable WBR to compete with wealthier neighboring parishes for qualified teachers. East Baton Rouge recently jumped $6,000 ahead with a major pay increase, while river parishes with larger industrial tax bases offer even higher salaries.

"It is a real competition," Smith said. "We want to stay ahead of them."

Several districts are pushing toward the "$60,000 club"—starting teacher salaries at $60,000 or more. The tax renewals allow WBR to maintain competitive pay despite having a smaller industrial tax base.

Consequences of Failure

Smith outlined potential cuts if either tax fails:

"We would have to cut major programs. Our classroom sizes would increase. We would have to eliminate programs, jobs, and do a reduction in force."

The district currently maintains competitive class sizes and teacher-student ratios. Loss of $18.8 million in dedicated salary funding would force dramatic staffing reductions.

"I really don't even like to talk about it because I'm not planning for that to happen," Smith said.

Early Voting Encouraged

Smith urged voters to use early voting rather than waiting for Election Day, which coincides with LSU and Southern University football games.

"The game day experience does impact people on Saturdays during football season," Smith said. "If people can early vote, that's a great option."

Voting Information:

• Early Voting: November 1-8, 2025 (excluding Sunday, November 2)
• Election Day: November 15, 2025
• Sample Ballot: GeauxVote.com

KEY DETAILS

What: Two 12-mill tax renewals for teacher/staff salaries
Annual Revenue: $18.8 million combined ($9.4M each)
Duration: 10 years (2027-2036)
Cost: ~$168/year for $250K home (after homestead exemption)
Ballot: Parishwide School District No. 3 Propositions 1 & 2
Current Millage: 51 mills (will drop to ~41 mills when 2018-2020 facility bonds roll off)
District Rank: 22nd of 69 Louisiana school districts
Students: ~4,200