The bill establishes the St. George Community School System within East Baton Rouge Parish, creating a separate school board with defined geographic boundaries. It outlines the structure, membership qualifications, and election processes for the school board, while mandating the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to develop a reapportionment plan for its districts to ensure equal population representation. The bill also includes provisions for public hearings on these plans and sets terms of office for board members. Additionally, it provides for the transfer of property and assets from the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to the new St. George Community School Board by June 30, 2027, and ensures that students can access educational opportunities in both systems.

The bill further establishes an interim school board consisting of seven members appointed by the governor, who will serve until the elected members take office. It addresses financial implications, including the redistribution of funds to prevent negative impacts on other school systems, and mandates cooperation between the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and the interim board in transferring assets and student records. The bill also ensures that students can remain enrolled in their current schools until graduation and will take effect only if a proposed constitutional amendment is adopted to grant the St. George Community 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)