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Terrebonne Parish School District Superintendent Philip Martin says the final step has been taken to put a sales tax proposal on the ballot for teacher pay raises.
The school board voted unanimously last Tuesday to authorize the bond council to make an application to the bond commission for a vote seeking a half-cent sales tax increase that would go toward raising teacher and administrative salaries in the school district.
Martin said receiving authorization from the bond commission is merely a formality.
If Terrebonne Parish voters say yes to the measure Dec. 6, employees whose salaries are based on teacher pay scales would receive an initial salary increase of $4,000 per year, and other full-time employees would receive an initial salary increase of $2,000 per year.
Officials estimate the half-cent hike would bring in about $13 million in the first year to the Terrebonne Parish School District after previously estimating it would net about $12 million over that period. The tax would begin being collected April 1, 2015.
“[The proposal] says what it means, and it means what it says so that there can be no confusion,” Martin said. “I think if people understand the situation we’re in and what we’re doing with the money in a clear, not confusing way. I think the public will be supportive.”
And the newfound support from the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce could be the school district’s biggest feather in its cap for voter support.
Last year, a proposal to increase property taxes by 31 mills failed by an overwhelming 52 percent when it was brought to the parish’s voters. The measure was not supported by the chamber. This time, the chamber created a blue ribbon task force to work hand in hand with the school district to come to a more enviable proposal for all sides included.
“The voters spoke very loudly they don’t like millage,” Martin said. “We got that message. So we had to regroup, and actually we took the lead of the blue ribbon commission the chamber put together, which had community members from all over the parish, and it was a very strong consensus that teacher salaries needed to be addressed and that a sales tax would be the preferred method – a half-cent.”
The task force was comprised of various individuals from the public, the administration, the board, the chamber and other business owners, according to chamber Chairman and Business First Bank Executive Vice President Regional CEO Donald Hingle.
“After meeting for several weeks, having good meetings and learning a lot on both sides from what the school district and the business community was interested in, we came up with a suggestion that we tackle teacher salaries first and administrative salaries,” Hingle said.
Hingle said the chamber has already voted that they would be in favor of a non-specific sales tax to increase teacher salaries. On Aug. 19, the chamber will vote on the specific proposal, and he expects it to pass with little or no opposition.
“It went from a deal we couldn’t support, and it evolved into something we could support,” he said. “We think our teachers are doing a great job. We think our school district is doing a great job and our children deserve the very best… We will continue to work closely with the school district and the school system to try to promote the proposal.”
Months ago, the task force noted that qualified teachers are the most critical component to the success of school systems.
“I hope voters agree that this is a very worthwhile use of taxpayer money,” said task force chairwoman Jennifer Armand. “Our teachers need this, and [passing the tax] is one of our most critical tools to make sure that we maintain and attract more qualified teachers.”
Task force member and executive director of the Terrebonne Port Commission David Rabalais said the number of school district employees is down 500 since 2008. He added that the last district pay raise was two percent in 2007, and the last state pay raise was $1,000 in 2007.
Among the 70 school districts in Louisiana, Terrebonne Parish ranks 49th in most lucrative teacher salaries – down from 47th earlier this year, while it ranks 18th in performance and boasts a B rating, according to Rabalais.
“Go around the state and look at all the districts and see what their grades are, and you would appreciate what Terrebonne Parish is doing,” Rabalais said.
However, officials say Terrebonne Parish is struggling to find and keep certified teachers because the money just isn’t there like it is in the surrounding districts. According to Rabalais, Terrebonne Parish collects a little over nine mills for the school system, while Lafourche Parish Public School District collects 46.3 mills. He said the state average is about 40 mills.
Worse, Terrebonne ranks 68th out of the 70 school districts in pupil expenditure, according to Rabalais.
“Something is wrong with that picture,” he said. “A person with a teaching degree can drive to Lafourche, teach and make more money than in Terrebonne Parish but also they can leave teaching all together, work in industry and make a lot more money. In my opinion these teachers deserve a pay raise. This tax is structured so that it goes directly to salary and cannot be used for anything else.”
Those who hope teachers soon see more money in their bank accounts have spoken.
On Dec. 6, the people of Terrebonne Parish will.
