LUTCHER — Three millages that help fund the salaries of St. James Parish school district employees as well as maintenance of school facilities have been renewed by voters in the parish.

A measure to allow the school district to seek $20 million in 20-year bonds was also approved.

In the weeks leading up to the election, Superintendent Alonzo Luce made numerous pleas to the citizens of St. James to approve the millage renewals, saying failure to do so would almost certainly lead to layoffs in the school system. Voters must have heard his pleas, as the items all passed by margins of more than three to one.

Two of the millage renewals garnered 78 percent of the vote, and the third had 79 percent. The bond request passed with 73 percent of the vote.

Voter turnout for the election is estimated at just over 10 percent.