Zachary Community School District on the November 15, 2025 Ballot
The ZCSD is asking voters on November 15, 2025, to authorize the district to redirect existing school bond taxes toward critical needs in the district, without raising the tax rate on residents.
The proposal would authorize the ZCSD to reallocate millage from bonds that are being paid off to fund three specified areas: employee compensation increases, facility repairs, and technology upgrades for staff and students.
By reallocating the taxes residents are already paying, over time, the ZCSD can significantly raise teacher salaries, fix aging school buildings, and update classroom technology.
The “Zachary Forward” initiative comes as ZCSD’s previous school construction bonds, funded by a 36-mill property tax, near maturity. If approved by voters, the measure would maintain the millage rate at a decreased 24 mills and dedicate it to three specified areas:
Teacher and Staff Compensation Pay: enabling more competitive salaries and benefits to recruit and retain quality educators (neighboring districts have implemented raises, and ZCSD aims to be more competitive).
Facilities Maintenance: addressing needed repairs and upgrades in school buildings that are 10–20 years old, such as roof replacements, HVAC systems, and continued safety improvements.
Technology for Students and Staff: providing a sustainable funding source for modern classroom technology and equipment replacements, ensuring students have up-to-date learning tools through predictable upgrade rotations.
The tax language ensures that this is not a tax increase, but a rededication of an existing tax. This reallocation will not increase millages past the current rate of 24 mills.
The initiative was developed after extensive ZCSD stakeholder input and strategic planning. Stakeholder advisory groups identified these three areas as top priorities for the district. The School Board voted unanimously to place the measure on the ballot, reflecting broad support for the plan.
Think of it as two ZCSD buckets, one has water in it, the other doesn’t. The ZCSD is asking for permission to pour some of the water from one bucket into the other, but is not asking for more water.
If you have any questions, contact the Office of the Superintendent/Communications (225-658-4969 or mandy.bradley@zacharyschools.org).