The bill establishes the St. George Community School System within East Baton Rouge Parish, creating a separate school board with defined geographic boundaries. It details the structure and election processes for the school board, mandates the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to develop a reapportionment plan, and requires public hearings for transparency. The bill also outlines the timeline for the new school board's operations and the transfer of property and assets from the existing school board. Additionally, it includes provisions for the collection of taxes, ensuring the new school system receives relevant sales, use, and property taxes starting July 1, 2027, and addresses student transfers and the management of existing charter schools.

The legislation further establishes an interim school board appointed by the governor, which will operate until the elected members take office. It mandates cooperation between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the interim board for the transfer of students and assets. Financial implications are addressed, including the redistribution of the Minimum Foundation Program to protect existing districts. The bill also outlines the management of post-employment benefits for new employees and the equitable division of assets and liabilities between the two school boards. Importantly, it allows students to remain enrolled in their current schools until graduation, ensuring they are counted for state funding, and specifies that the Act will take effect only if a proposed constitutional amendment is adopted to grant the new school system the same authority as a parish school system.

Statutes affected:
SB234 Original: 17:2(I)
SB234 Engrossed: 17:2(I)
SB234 Reengrossed: 17:2(I)
SB234 Enrolled: 17:2(I)
SB234 Act 455: 17:2(I)