The original instrument was prepared by Jerry J. Guillot. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by
Jeanne Johnston.
DIGEST
White (SB 672)
Present law provides for an earlier redistricting of the East Baton Parish School Board. (Note: the
East Baton Rouge Parish School Board currently has 11 members elected from single-member
districts).
Proposed law provides that, excluding the Baker municipal school system, the Zachary
Community School Board, and the Central Community School Board, the East Baton Rouge
Parish School Board shall be comprised of nine members elected at the congressional elections.
Provides that board members shall be elected from single-member districts to serve four-year
terms. Provides that these provisions shall be effective for the limited purpose of qualification
and election of school board members in 2014, and shall become effective for all purposes on
January 1, 2015. Further provides that until the board members elected in 2014 take office, the
members of the board shall continue to be comprised of 11 members elected from single-member
districts.
Present law provides for the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to develop an earlier plan for
single-member school board districts. Requires that such districts be drawn with as equal
population as possible using population figures from the U.S. census.
Proposed law instead requires the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, before August 1, 2014,
to develop a plan to divide the East Baton Rouge Parish school district into nine single-member
districts from each of which one member of the board shall be elected. Provides that districts be
drawn with as equal population as possible, utilizing population figures from the 2010 U.S.
census.
Present law, relative to the prior apportionment plan or any future alteration, change or
rearrangement of school board election districts, requires the East Baton Rouge Parish School
Board to order a public hearing on the proposed plan, alteration, change, or rearrangement and
publish a notice of the hearing at least 20 days prior to the hearing, giving
the time and place thereof, a general summary and map of the proposed plan, and the times and
places where copies of the proposed plan are available for public inspection.
Proposed law retains present law making it applicable to the plan required by proposed law.
Changes the time for publication of notice to at least ten rather than at least 20 days before the
hearing.
Present law provides procedures for approval of an earlier school board redistricting plan by the
members of the East Baton Rouge Parish legislative delegation, provided that if the delegation did not approve the plan, the legislature would develop and enact a plan.
Proposed law deletes these provisions.
Present law requires, when a parish contains a municipality, the population of which is more than
one-half that of the entire parish, that the municipality have representation on the parish school
board proportionate to its population.
Proposed law excepts the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board from this requirement.
Proposed law retains present law that provides that East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
members shall continue in office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until their
successors are qualified and take office and that board members serve four-year terms.
Proposed law provides that proposed law will be null and void if the East Baton Rouge Parish
School Board adopts a plan no later than May 26, 2014, to reduce the membership of the board to
nine or fewer members and adopts a policy not later than August 1, 2014, to implement this plan.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 17:57, 58, and 58.2(A), (B), and (C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Provides that the board will be comprised of nine members elected from single-
member districts instead of seven members comprised of one member elected at-
large member and six members elected from single-member districts.
2. Provides that proposed law will be null and void if the EBR Parish School Board
adopts a plan no later than May 26, 2014, to reduce the membership of the board
to nine or fewer members and adopts a policy not later than August 1, 2014, to
implement this plan.