THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, O c t O b e r 9, 2024
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10TH YEAR, NO. 52
Baker schools give tax break, brace for job cuts BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer
Baker residents will see lower property tax bills in January after a sharply divided city school board fell one vote short in keeping tax rates at current levels, meaning a looming budget cut and potential layoffs of school staff. The Baker City School Board voted 3-2 to keep its property tax rate unchanged. But that wasn’t
enough. The motion needed four votes, a supermajority, to pass. The failure of that motion means that the city school millage rate will “roll back” from 43.2 to 38.65 mills, a 4.55-mill decrease. Consequently, city schools will forego an estimated $276,000 in tax revenue, money generated by a recent parishwide property reassessment. It’s money, equivalent to 1.5% of all district revenue that the small school district located
north of Baton Rouge had already budgeted. “We will have to reduce positions,” warned Supt. J.T. Stroder before the vote, which was held Oct. 1. Stroder, who took over as school leaders in March 2023, has already presided over a series of job cuts. The first was to finance a large employee pay raise, which lifted starting teacher pay by almost $11,000 a year. Then Stroder cut
14 more jobs over two years due to the expiration of federal COVID 19 relief. After Tuesday’s vote, Stroder said he’s not sure whether cutbacks need to happen between now and next summer or if the district can hold out until later. Stroder also is not sure the exact total he’ll have to cut. Some of that $276,000 is money that’s earmarked for students who live in Baker but attend independent
charter schools, he acknowledged. Every four years in Louisiana, including this year, local assessors reassess the value of residential and other property in their parishes. Once that reassessment is complete, local governments decide whether to lower property tax rates (roll back) or keep the rates at their current levels (roll forward) and thereby reap the
ä See BAKER, page 2G
HOME SWEET HOME
Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Metro Council announces meetings on proposed amendments
Zachary students, faculty, alumni celebrate Homecoming
The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council announced a series of public meetings to discuss proposed amendments to the East Baton Rouge Parish Plan of Government, which will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election. One meeting is Oct. 17 at Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St.; another Oct. 24, at Baker Branch Library, 3501 Groom Road. Other meetings are Oct. 8, Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd.; Oct. 15, Fairwood Branch Library, 12910 Old Hammond Hwy.; and Oct. 28, Bluebonnet Regional Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd. All meetings are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These meetings provide an opportunity for residents to engage with the proposed changes, ask questions, and offer feedback.
Zachary High celebrated Homecoming last week with themed days, games, a parade, dance and the crowning of Nyllah Allen as queen.
Trunk-or-Treat Local businesses and organizations will participate in the fourth annual Trunk-or-Treat from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 on Lee Street. Setup starts at 1 p.m. and must be finished by 2:40 p.m. People who want to host a car or truck must register by Oct. 14 at https://forms. office.com/r/g35VpCq0Az. For information, contact ashleigh. mchugh@cityofzachary.org. A giant inflatable maze, carnival games, 360 photo booth, food trucks and cotton candy will be available. Special needs children have early entry at 2:45 p.m.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY TAYLOR WATSON LEE
Juniors Katie Evans, Kara Griffith and Ellia PROVIDED PHOTO BY TAYLOR WATSON LEE Kimich strike a pose during the 2024 Zachary High Homecoming Queen Nyllah Allen is crowned Friday. Zachary High Homecoming dance.
Little School Fall Fest The Zachary United Methodist Little School Fall Fest is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 19. Trunk-or-treat, games, food, face painting, silent auctions, crafts, booths and inflatables will be on hand. The school is seeking vendors and crafters to participate. A spot is $50.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Zachary High cheerleaders riding on top of the firetruck during the school’s Homecoming parade. ä More photos. PAGE 4G & 5G
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
2024 ZHS Hall of Fame to induct Alex Milazzo Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
Zachary High Hall of Fame 2024 inductee Alex Milazzo played football for coach David Brewerton and baseball for coaches Jesse Cassard and Jacob Fisher. During his sophomore year on the gridiron as a quarterback and safety he helped the Broncos reach the 5A semifinals before locking into his passion on the baseball diamond. Though he had football prowess, Milazzo’s lasting mark was made in baseball before graduating in 2019 and taking his talents to LSU. On the diamond he was a feared
catcher with a cannon arm that dared opposing teams to take a lead or, heaven forbid, attempt to steal. In baseball they call it a “pop” — throwing time to document the time when the ball hits the mitt to when the catcher throws out a runner at second base. During his senior year Milazzo was the top catcher in the nation in this category. Also his senior year, he was named to the Rawlings Southeast Region High School first team.
ä See BRADY, page 2G
LSU catcher Alex Milazzo drives the ball in the second inning of the game against Xavier on March 9 at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON