LEONARD GRAY

LULING – The drive is on to educate the voters about a one-cent sales tax election, along with a $28 million bond issue, set for the Oct. 20 ballot in St. Charles Parish for the public school district. Superintendent Dr. Rodney Lafon is the star attraction at every place two or more voters can be gathered. The next major venue for the campaign is the St. Charles Business Association’s monthly breakfast meeting. It is scheduled to be held Sept. 6 at 8 a.m. at the Wildcat Kitchen at Destrehan High School. The superintendent has spoken before the Economic Development Commission and to a panel of major industry representatives, who are expected to bear the burden of the taxes, if approved. In addition, Lafon is scheduling meetings with civic associations, service organizations and any group interested to hear the reasons why these taxes are called for. The sales tax, if approved by voters, is estimated to raise $8 million annually and boost the local sales tax to nine cents on the dollar. The bond sale, if approved by voters, will finance capital projects in the district in Norco, St. Rose and Hahnville, and also the new Raymond K. Smith Middle School near Interstate 310 in Luling. All these projects, Lafon said, are to maintain the level of quality in education for which the school district is lauded across the state. The meetings include a 15-minute video message and also an informational brochure to read at the voters’ leisure. Between the brochure, video and Lafon himself, it is hoped any questions can be promptly answered. Lafon admits he faces an uphill battle to woo the voters to the proposals, who voted down a one-cent sales tax requested by the parish administration. Rising costs in utilities and health insurance led to the school district’s administration making $1.4 million in cuts for the 2001-02 school year. During the past three years, $6.8 million in cuts have been made, bringing them to a total of $8.2 million in the past four years. Additionally, teachers have not received a local pay raise in five years, while other school districts are becoming more competitive by raising their own pay scales. “Once they understand the facts,” Touchard said, “people are supporting this. We’re just making sure everyone is educated and informed on this.” Anyone who wants to schedule a meeting or simply to ask questions about the tax proposals is urged to call Touchard at 785-7222.