RESERVE — St. John the Baptist Parish School Board members laid the groundwork for a special election this year seeking a sales tax increase.

Should School Board members ultimately decide to move forward with a sales tax increase, Superintendent Kevin George said voters would have final say on the matter in December.

School Board members Gerald Keller, Clarence Triche, Russ Wise, Russell Jack, Phillip Johnson, Keith Jones and Sherry DeFrancesch voted unanimously Wednesday during a special called meeting to announce that a resolution would be considered at the Board’s Aug. 18 meeting. That resolution would authorize the levy of additional sales taxes.

School District Executive Finance Director Felix Boughton stressed that Board members were simply announcing their intent to “consider” calling for an election.

“If you don’t announce your intent, you cannot call it on Aug. 18,” he said. “This keeps your options open. You are not committing to doing it. You are setting yourself up to be able to do it on Aug. 18.”

Before the vote, George recommended approval of the measure.

Jones, who serves as School Board president and District 6 representative, said he would like to move forward with the tax option presented this week.

“I’m sold on it, personally,” he said. “Of course, we’re going to make this decision as a group, but this meeting (Wednesday) was to keep our options open.”

Jones said there is support on the Board to bring the measure to voters.

“I haven’t heard anybody talking against it as of this point,” he said.

“It is still a month or so before anything actually happens, but I have not heard any negativity or anybody speaking against it.”

Jones said those in the community with questions are welcome to contact him at 504-628-5111 or kjones@stjohn.k12.la.us.

“If I cannot answer their questions, I can direct them to Mr. Boughton on Mr. George with any questions or concerns,” Jones said.

The measure could sound familiar to local voters who shot down a similar sales tax increase in April.

St. John Public Schools leaders praised the District’s performance — a key selling point in advance of April’s election, when St. John voters were asked to approve a new .25 percent sales tax to benefit the School District.

Ultimately, voters decided against the measure, voting 1,501 (52 percent) against and 1,372 (48 percent) in favor of it.

The St. John Parish School Board was asking voters to approve a .25 percent sales tax (25 cents for every $100 spent).

If passed, the tax was expected to generate $2.4 million a year for school security, alternative programs, guidance work at the elementary schools, extra transportation and salaries and benefits.