Cameron Parish teachers, administrators and staff are set to get 15 percent more in pay.

Venture Global announced the company will donate $6 million to the Cameron Parish School Board over the next three years.

“About two years ago, I embarked on a mission to get financial support from local LNG entities,” said Charley Lemons, school board superintendent. He outlined three ways companies could help, and one of those was supplementing teacher and staff pay.

The first company he asked responded with a maybe. A 14-month negotiation ensued before that LNG company told Lemons no. The second company didn’t dilly dally after Lemons’ pitch.

“They were quick and didn’t lead me on,” he said.

The third “ask,” was to Venture Global.

“Venture Global is proud to be part of Cameron Parish and give back to a community that has welcomed us into their home,” stated Mike Sable, CEO, Venture Global, in a news release. “We are thrilled to be able to show our gratitude and help support further growth and opportunity in Cameron Parish by supporting its public school system.”   

Lemons expressed his appreciation, while praising teachers and saying they deserve the stipend – and much more.

Teachers with 0 years make just under $40,000 in Cameron Parish.

“It’s sad, but that’s where we’re at,” he said. “My goal is to have a teacher with 0 years make over $60,000 by ’29 or  ’30,” he said. “Cameron Parish is going to be the place to be if you’re a teacher.”

Unlike most school districts that are funded 65 percent by the state and 35 percent locally, Cameron Parish schools are funded 75 percent with local funding and 25 percent with state funding.

“The state looks at it like, if you’re not collecting local sales tax because of ITEP, you’re giving up this money. You must be a wealthy parish.”

Ten years ago when Cameron LNG, Sabine Pass LNG and Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LNG started construction on export facilities, each received 100 percent exemption from property tax, and parish facilities didn’t have the say they do now. Those ten-year exemptions are set to expire beginning in 2028. The new Venture Global CP2 export terminal will receive an 80 percent abatement for up to 10 years, which will result in a new 20 percent stream of sales tax for the parish.

So far, construction hasn’t begun.

The Biden administration paused pending approvals for construction of facilities that would export to non-FTA countries in January this year. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Venture Global the certificate needed to move forward in June. US District Judge James Cain, Lake Charles, made a ruling in July that blocked the pause. The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of impacted commercial fishermen, landowners, Fishermen Involved in Sustaining Our Heritage and For a Better Bayou, in partnership with the Natural Resources Defence Council challenged FERC’s authorization.

Teachers, administrators and staff will get half the 15 percent stipend in November with a 13th check and the second half in May.