Breaking: Voters approve both Calcasieu schools tax renewals
Published 9:49 pm Saturday, December 11, 2021
- (American Press Archives)
Saturday’s voters approved two tax renewals benefiting public education in Calcasieu Parish. A 10-year 9.52 mills property tax renewal was approved with 79 percent of the vote, or 10,368 in favor, and a 10-year half-cent sales tax renewal was approved with 68 percent of the vote, or 8,881 in favor, according to unofficial election results released by the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.
“We are incredibly grateful to the voters in Calcasieu Parish for supporting the schools and employees in our district. We are fortunate that they will continue to provide the resources that are so valuable in the educational progression of our students,” Holly Holland, Calcasieu Parish School Board public information officer, said. “The voters choosing to invest in foundations for the future will help us continue building those same foundations.”
The two renewals represent nearly $57 million in annual operating revenues for the district. The vast majority of the funds generated, 83.4 percent, cover salaries and benefits for CPSB employees.
Charter transfers, non-salary maintenance, supplies, equipment, textbooks and non-salary transportation are among the other departments funded by the taxes.
“These two renewable taxes play a vital role in the operations of the school system and truly reaches into the cost of every employee’s salary and every child’s education,” the district’s statement read concerning the renewals.
