Half Cent to Support Education

Terrebonne Parish consistently ranks as one of the top locations in the nation in which to live and work, and play.  We enjoy record levels of employment and businesses are moving in, it seems, every single day.  We are rated as one of the happiest metro areas in the USA and and are recognized as being the second most exciting city in Louisiana. In summary, it is a great time to be here in Terrebonne Parish.

But ask anyone what, in their opinion, is one of the most critical factors in sustaining this level of growth and prosperity, and to the person, you are likely to hear that having a top quality education system is at the center of it all.  We couldn't agree more.

But here is some sobering news.  Although Terrebonne Parish Public Schools ranks among the top third of all school districts in Louisiana in terms of student achievement, and is one of the largest school districts in the state, we pay our teachers in the bottom third - 49th out of 69 school districts to be exact.  Not only are we on the bottom of the state in compensation, we also significantly trail neighboring parishes that are an hour or less commute from Terrebonne.  Add to this the demand for quality personnel not only within education, but also within private industry that an economy like ours creates, and you can see how compensation rises to the top of the challenges within our school system.

To begin to address these issues, a sales tax issue has been placed on the ballot for the December 6 elections.  It is a one-half cent sales tax, of which, 100% will go to improving teacher and employee salaries.  The tax is based on extensive input from the citizens of Terrebonne Parish as well as from our chamber of commerce and others.  With this tax, we will begin to have the resources to retain the teachers and employees who daily make a difference in the lives of the 18,000 students who come to our schools each day. Without this tax, most would agree, Terrebonne Parish will face challenges in staffing our schools with the educators that you expect and that we demand.

There are questions, even concerns, about this issue.  We understand this and welcome any and all questions. Yet this is an issue that is of critical importance to our community.  Please carefully consider this issue on December 6.

Philip Martin

Superintendent

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