ST. GEORGE — Voters statewide and across East Baton Rouge Parish rejected a constitutional amendment that would have created the St. George Community School System, halting plans for the district to move forward in its current form.
According to complete but unofficial election returns, East Baton Rouge Parish failed the vote 69% (70,087 votes) to 31% (32,179) with all of the precincts reporting.
Statewide, with numbers still trickling in, the measure failed 64% to 36%.
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The vote means students within St. George will remain under the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
The proposal sought to give the St. George school system constitutional authority related to state education funding, instructional materials and the ability to raise certain local revenues similar to existing parish school systems.
The vote represents a major setback for supporters of the St. George school district, which has been at the center of legal and political battles tied to the incorporation of the City of St. George and broader debates over public education in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Supporters argued the district would give families greater local control and improve educational opportunities within St. George. Advocates often cited concerns about academic performance in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Opponents argued the proposal would deepen racial and economic divisions within public education while weakening the financial stability of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board had opposed legislation tied to the district’s formation, raising concerns over long-term financial obligations, including retiree healthcare costs estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Had the amendment passed, the St. George district would have become Louisiana’s 70th public school district and the fifth operating system within East Baton Rouge Parish.
EBR Schools’ Superintendent Lamont Cole issued a statement:
“Tonight’s outcome reflects the will of the voters, and I believe our community took this decision very seriously. Regardless of where people stood on Amendment Two, one thing is clear: the citizens of Baton Rouge care deeply about accountability, stability, and the future of public education.
As superintendent, my focus remains on bringing people together and continuing the work of improving outcomes for every student in our district. This is not a moment for division or celebration at anyone’s expense, it is an opportunity to listen, reflect, and move forward in a way that keeps students at the center of every decision we make.
I remain committed to working with educators, families, community leaders, and policymakers to ensure our schools continue moving in a positive direction and that every child has the support and opportunities they deserve.”
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