EBR School Board Addresses New School Site Amid St. George Incorporation

Board works to identify architectural firm for new high school as potential St. George district raises concerns over finances and students.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The East Baton Rouge School Board is moving forward with plans to build a new high school, but is addressing confusion and concerns over the potential impact of St. George becoming its own school district. Board members say the new school was never intended for the St. George area, and that losing around 2,600 students and $100 million in funding to a new St. George district would severely impact the EBR school system's finances and ability to serve families.

Why it matters

The potential creation of a separate St. George school district has raised questions about the location and funding for a new EBR high school, as well as the broader implications for the EBR school system's finances and ability to serve all students in the parish if a significant portion break away.

The details

The EBR School Board voted to begin the process of identifying an architectural firm to design the new high school, clarifying that the school was never intended to be located in the potential St. George area. Board members acknowledged that if St. George becomes its own district, it would mean the loss of around 2,600 students and over $100 million in funding for the EBR system, which they say it cannot survive. The board is working to be transparent with taxpayers about the potential impacts and to do what's best for all students and families in East Baton Rouge Parish.

  • A few years ago, a piece of property was chosen to build the new high school.
  • In May, voters will decide whether to give St. George its own school district, which would not start operating until next year.

The players

Shashonnie Steward

President of the East Baton Rouge School Board.

Dadrius Lanus

Member of the East Baton Rouge School Board.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have to be honest with taxpayers and have this conversation before. I want to say two years ago, the conversation was that St. George does not exist. So why are we talking about it? Well, guess what? Here it is right in front of our doorsteps. So, we have to talk about it, and we have to be honest about the numbers and the things that are going there that is going to produce.”

— Dadrius Lanus, School Board Member (louisianafirstnews.com)

“When you collectively add all of that together, that's over $100 million. Our school system cannot survive if we have this break. Now, some will say, 'Yeah, we'll be able to make it.' But what I ask them is, 'What is a school system that's on life support?' We want to keep all of our families here.”

— Dadrius Lanus, School Board Member (louisianafirstnews.com)

What’s next

If voters decide in May to give St. George its own school district, the new district would not start operating until next year.

The takeaway

The EBR School Board is being proactive in addressing the potential impacts of St. George becoming its own school district, including the loss of over $100 million in funding and 2,600 students. They are working to be transparent with taxpayers and do what's best for all students and families in the parish, even as they move forward with plans for a new high school.