Latest news with #BakerSchoolBoard
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill would create hotel tax district in St. Francisville to redevelop blighted property
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A proposed Louisiana bill could pave the way for a new hotel and economic development in St. Francisville by creating a special taxing district aimed at revitalizing blighted property. House Bill 267, authored by state Rep. Jeremy LaCombe (R-Livonia), would establish the 'Hotel Francis District' as a political subdivision of the state. The district would encompass a 14.8-acre property currently in disrepair and allow for the construction of a conference-style hotel, restaurant, and related facilities. The bill proposes forming a three-member board to oversee the district's operations and financing. The board would include the mayor of St. Francisville and two members of the town's governing authority appointed by the mayor. To fund redevelopment efforts, the district would be empowered to levy a hotel occupancy tax and a sales tax on food and beverages sold within the district—but not on items for home consumption. Tax rates would be set at levels at least equal to those already in place throughout West Feliciana Parish. If the property currently generates no such taxes, the new taxes could replace some existing ones—so long as those are not tied to bond payments or dedicated projects. The measure would also allow the district to issue revenue bonds and use future increases in tax revenue, known as tax increments, to fund or refinance the hotel development. Under the legislation, the district would automatically dissolve after all debts are paid or after 40 years, whichever comes first. If approved by lawmakers, the bill would take effect immediately upon the governor's signature or after the designated timeframe if no action is taken. Louisiana bill would allow abortion exceptions for minors in sex crime cases REPORT: Saints QB Derek Carr's status for 2025 season now in jeopardy Baker School Board, Impact Charter agree on vacant building use Teen dies after Thursday night shooting in Baton Rouge, police say WorldPride organizers caution transgender visitors from abroad Salt Pepper Oak BBQ restaurant relocating to Baton Rouge with brisket, cocktails, and chef-driven menu Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Baker residents ask for more clarity on their kids' education, two schools set to close this year
BAKER, La. (Louisiana First) — Community members in Baker are still seeking clarity at a town hall meeting for the future of their kids' education after the Baker School Board voted to close two of their public schools. Baker Heights Elementary School and Baker Middle will be closing for the 2025-2026 school year. 'The board voted to close two schools, which are F schools, Baker Middle School and Baker Heights Elementary,' said Baker School Board Superintendent JT Stroder. Over 1,000 students from the schools will now attend Parkridge Middle School for Pre-K through 8th grade, which is next door to Baker Middle. Stroder said they want to address as much as possible with parents and the community to help keep their kids in the school district. 'We want students in the City of Baker to remain students within the City of Baker School System and not be students that belong to the state under the recovery school district,' he said. Stroder said it's been a hard decision, but they had to act fast. He said the Louisiana Board of Education hasn't sent them a response on the plans they submitted to them in September of last year. With time running out, he said they had to make a quick and hard decision. Stroder said he hopes this creates a positive reset and can be a huge benefit to the community. 'This kind of gives us an opportunity to just to take those campuses, take those students, reset it [with] new administration and really see if we can put some things in place to make a difference for these kids,' he said, Both schools are set to close by the end of summer 2025. Baker residents ask for more clarity on their kids' education, two schools set to close this year Baton Rouge shelters take steps to protect the most vulnerable during freeze Former Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron launches Senate bid Suspect held without bond following death of Kansas City Super Bowl reporter Could Los Angeles become the rattiest city in the United States? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
