Voters say yes to Zachary Schools property tax plan
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE
Contributing writer
The second time was the charm for the Zachary Community School District, with its tax proposal funding employee pay raises succeeding at the polls Saturday More than 60% of voters said yes to the Zachary Forward initiative, which will take an existing 24-mill property tax and redirect its proceeds toward raises for teachers and staff at no additional cost to residents. The measure failed when the district initially put it on the ballot in November About 6,000 people voted on the item, putting the unofficial turnout at 32.7%, according to election results from the Secretary of State’s Office.
The district shared a celebratory message on Facebook late Saturday night.
“We are all smiles with VERY grateful hearts!!!” the post said. “THANK YOU Zachary for the love and support of our employees, students and the Z community!”
Superintendent Ben Necaise and his staff have spent the past several weeks campaigning for the proposal. Necaise talked it up at local organizations’ lunch gatherings and hosted town hall meetings. A series of videos featuring testimonials about Zachary schools appeared on Facebook in recent days.
Necaise has said that Zachary is falling behind other districts when it comes to employee pay, creating concerns about recruitment and retention. Teachers currently start at $50,000 a year; now that the tax measure has been approved, they are expected to get a $10,000 raise. Employees in support roles will earn $5,000 more annually
The original version of Zachary Forward from November called for steering tax collections not only to pay raises but also technology and facility upgrades. Those additional planks were dropped when district leaders decided to put the initiative before voters a second time.
Zachary Youth Park superintendent shares what it’s like at the parks during the summer
Writing sports articles in the summer is hard. To seek inspiration, go no further than to the place where the maximum amount of activity is taking place, which is the Zachary Youth Park.
I reached out to Park Superintendent Gordon “P-Wee” Leblanc to help me explain the importance of the Zachary Youth Park. Instead of an interview, he instead wrote the whole article that follows to provide a personal perspective. Take it away P-Wee. On most evenings at Zachary Youth Park, the soundtrack is familiar: cleats on concrete, parents settling into bleachers, coaches calling out reminders and the sharp pop of a ball meeting a glove under the lights. For athletes of all ages in Zachary — from 4-year-olds taking their first swings to 74-year-old men competing in recreational leagues the city-operated complex has become more than a place to play It is where first swings are taken, rivalries are renewed, tournament weekends bring new faces to town and families gather around the steady
rhythm of baseball and softball seasons.
The 33-acre park provides year-round programming and facilities for youth baseball and softball, while also serving Zachary High School teams and local recreational leagues. It’s a mix of synthetic turf fields, T-ball diamonds, batting cages, concession areas, walking paths and nearby community amenities has helped make the park one of the area’s busiest sports destinations.
Miss Zachary Pageant set
The complex includes nine turf fields, eight Little League fields used for T-ball, 11-12U baseball and softball games, a high school softball field with locker room space, and baseball fields used by high school and middle school programs. An indoor facility with batting cages, pitching lanes, locker rooms and a trainer area that gives athletes a place to work when weather or schedules move practice away from the main dia-
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
monds.
That all-weather setup matters in south Louisiana, where a rainy week can quickly disrupt a season. Turf fields help keep games moving, while covered batting cage areas and indoor training space give coaches more options for development. The result is a park that can host league play, school games and large tournament weekends with fewer interruptions.
Tournaments have become a major part of the park’s identity Events hosted through organizations such as USSSA and 2-D along with showcase-style softball tournaments and benefit events, bring players, coaches, families and scouts to Zachary throughout the year On busy weekends, the park can feel like a small baseball village, with teams moving between fields, parents setting up chairs and concession stands serving steady lines between innings. The impact extends beyond the scoreboard. Visiting teams fill parking lots, stop at local restaurants and introduce out-of-town families to Zachary For local players, those tournaments offer a chance to compete against different opponents without leaving home, and
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Zachary Youth Park softball field.
PROVIDED PHOTOS BY ZACHARY YOUTH PARK DRONE FOOTAGE
Zachary Youth Park baseball field
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
DEMCO’s Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program students celebrate
Community news report
Participants in DEMCO’s Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program, a leadership and educational program for ninth- and tenth-grade students, were honored during a recent banquet.
Family members joined DEMCO leadership to celebrate the ambassadors’ achievements following five months of leadership development, cooperative education and community service.
During the event, DEMCO presented awards to ambassadors who demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, initiative and commitment to cooperative values throughout the program.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Attending the DEMCO YCAP student ambassadors Class of 2026 end-of-year banquet, front row from left, are Benjamin Klein Jr Leah Hugg and Jada Brown; and second row, Rishawn Sanders, Braylon Washington, Cirrus Guerrero and Kylee Juarez.
Dedric Wallace, of Glen Oaks Magnet High School, received the Ambassador Impact Award, for representing the cooperative’s core values of leadership, engagement, positivity, and connection with others, a news release said.
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giveaways, and more. Fee is $20 or free for YMCA members. Visit https://tinyurl.
com/jknwm22u to register Market set for Baker
Baker’s Fresh Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 22, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21 at the city of Baker School Board Office, 14750 Plank Road.
State representative to speak in Baker
Rep. Roy Daryl Adams will speak at the Baker Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn at 11:30 a.m., July 23, at Ruffins Showroom. 14502 Plank Road, Baker Adams will speak about the 2026 legislative session.
Meet Summer Santa at the market
The Zachary Farmers and Artisans Market will host Summer Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11. Hot air coming
The fourth annual Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival will be from 4 p.m to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 14-15 at 20055 Old Scenic Highway, in Zachary Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate. com.
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Benjamin Klein Jr., of West Feliciana High School, received the Cooperative Spirit Award for exemplifying teamwork, collaboration and enthusiasm.
DEMCO Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program participants prepare refreshments for residents at Central Guest House Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center during their community service project, from left, Kylee Juarez, Leah Hugg, Cirrus Guerrero, Benjamin Klein Jr., Jada Brown, Dedric Wallace, Rishawn Sanders and Braylon Washington.
manager of member and community engagement.
“Concern for Community is one of the seven co-op principles explored throughout the program, and this service project gave ambassadors the opportunity to put that principle into action.”
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sometimes to play in front of college or professional scouts.
The park also reflects the community around it. Zachary High School and Northwestern Middle School baseball and softball teams use the facility, while younger players grow up on adjacent fields before moving into older divisions. Families who once watched their children in T-ball often return years later to see them compete under brighter lights and higher expectations.
The spring recreational baseball league recently wrapped up, with gold medals awarded to each age-group champion The 8U Astros, coached by Gabe Hagan, won their division, while the 10U White Sox, coached by Anthony Sauro, took first place in 10U. The 12U division ended in a tie between the Mets, coached by Clifford Petty, and the Braves, coached by Andre Prejean.
Senior softball also concluded its season, with David Gurney’s Yellow team winning the league championship. Team members were Jerry Bonnette, Paul Broussard, Greg Gibson, David Gurney, Rock Haydel, Rodrick Jarreau, Richard Lee IV Todd Lee, Michael Mansur, Harold Prejean, Duane Wilkinson,
in plain sight in the rear of her bus,” the suit said. The family filed suit in May 2024, represented by Paul Wilkins of Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers. Now, the district and the bus operator are fighting over who might be liable to pay emotional damages to the girl and her family, and
Rishawn Sanders, of Liberty Magnet High School, received the Community Service Award for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to serving others.
“We are proud of the growth these ambassadors demonstrated throughout
Kylee Juarez of Central Private received the Emerging Leader Award in recognition of significant growth and leadership development throughout the program
the program and the way they represented the cooperative through their leadership, service, and commitment to helping others,” said Rhowanda Vessel, community relations coordinator As part of the program, YCAP students prepared 200 care packages for residents and delivered them during a
visit to Central Guest House Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on March 28.
Ambassadors also spent time playing bingo and visiting with the senior citizens.
“Projects like this help young people understand the impact cooperatives can have in the communities they serve,” said Chanon Martin,
The Class of 2026 Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program participants included Jada Brown, of Baker High School; Kylee Juarez, of Central Private; Dedric Wallace, of Glen Oaks Magnet High School; Rishawn Sanders, of Liberty Magnet High School; Braylon Washington and Cirrus Guerrero, of Walker High School; and Benjamin Klein Jr and Leah Hugg, of West Feliciana High School. Applications for DEMCO’s Class of 2027 Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program open Sept. 1 The program is open to ninth- and tenth-grade students attending school within DEMCO’s seven-parish service area.
Chris Wilkinson and Brandon Williams. Congratulations to Team Gurney
Yellow Thanks, P-Wee! You just wrote me out of a job this week.
Warren Brady covers sports for the Advocate/ Plainsman. To contact Brady, email zachary@ theadvocate.com.
whether exceptions in their existing contract allow the bus operator to exclude itself from paying damages.
In recent filings, First Student has sought to push responsibility fully onto the school district, using a provision in their transportation contract that absolves the bus company from liability if the lawsuit is over “student-on-student violence.”
On Monday, 19th Judicial Judge Beau Higginbotham rejected a motion from First Student attorneys
Darlene T. Denstorff zachary@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0215
to have him rule on their request for exemption ahead of the rest of the case. In their opposition, the school district argued that the students on the bus were under the company’s custody at the time of the assault.
Attorneys also argued that liability has yet to be determined by the court and the motion for an early summary judgment by Higginbotham is premature.
In ‘plain sight’
The victim’s parents claim their
daughter’s abuse started in the fall of 2023, with a male student in one of her classes beginning a pattern of “repeated and persistent bullying, intimidation and threatening.”
The victim reportedly was in fear of retribution from her bully and believed she would be physically harmed if she reported the abuse to her parents or teachers.
“At no time did any teacher or administrator of Zachary Community School District take any steps to put an end to the bullying,” ac-
cording to the suit.
The suit claims the school district failed to notice this bullying and did not step in to keep the girl separated from her bully, allowing the two to regularly board the same afternoon bus leading up to the date of the attack.
This abuse culminated in November with an attack on the bus in which the girl said she was assaulted “by two or more students.”
One of the assailants was allegedly the same student who had been bullying the girl.
PHOTO BY WARREN BRADY
Zachary Youth Park.
Zachary Youth Park entrance to Herty Field.
PROVIDED
PHOTO BY ZACHARY YOUTH PARK
DRONE FOOTAGE
Lane Ponchatoula; simple criminal damage to property, domestic abuse battery, strangulation
LAQWENTA DEAMER: 32; 11097 South Bayou View Drive, Gonzales; theft JAMES DESLATTE: 19; 4431 U.S. 61 St. Francisville, first-degree rape-victim under 13 yrs of age, first-degree rape, three counts of molestation of a juvenile, two counts of oral sexual battery, three counts of indecent behavior with juveniles
ANDREKA HARRIS: 34; 7374 Yorkshire St., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
ANDREA HAYES: 32; 1675 Rosenwald Road, Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
JOHNAS JAMES: 72; 4684 Ave. D., Zachary; theft, criminal trespass
EURELL JOHNSON: 25; 12295 Clay St., New Roads; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
MEGAN LEGARDE: 20; 12815 Teakwood Drive, Baker; theft over $1,000, theft over $5,000, simple burglary/ immoveable
TERRELL LUKE JR.: 21; 632 Allo St Marrero; resisting an officer, two counts of battery of a police officer, battery of emergency room, emergency services or healthcare personnel
ASHLEY SCIORTINO: 59; 3900 Water Oak Drive, Zachary; accessories after the fact, theft
DEANDRE SINGLETON: 33; 2127 Zelmere St., Zachary; determination of drug paraphernalia, possession/distribution manufacturing schedule II, obstruction of justice, fugitive warrant from Baker Police Department MICHAEL SMITH: 37; 22872 Hazard Drive, Zachary; resisting an officer, possession of Schedule II EDWARD YOUNG: 54; 01732 Robin St., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
BRIAN VENTRESS: 38; 6277 English Turn Drive, Zachary; fugitive warrant from Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office
CEDRIC WILLIAMS: 27; 4768 Brady St., Baton Rouge; failure to appear on outstanding bench warrants
Zachary residents can take a book, share a book in park after Eagle project
Welcoming Kameryn Kline Fevella,
The
Because
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI:
The University of Mississippi announced students named to the spring 2026 honor roll lists, including chancellor’s honor roll.
Among the honorees are Amelia Allemond and Madison Lea, both of Zachary Allemond is working on a B.A. in southern studies
Madison Lea is working on B.A. in biological science program.
LIONEL UNIVERSITY: Omari Nunes, of Zachary, has been awarded the Lionel University Bachelor’s Degree Scholarship, recognizing commitment to professional and academic advancement in exercise science.
The scholarship provides up to $2,500 in tuition support
COLLEGES
for the Bachelor of Science in exercise science program, reinforcing the university’s mission to make high-quality fitness and wellness education accessible to passionate learners Lionel University is in Carpinteria, California.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA: Some 7,000 degrees were awarded during the University of Alabama’s spring 2026 commencement at Coleman Coliseum in May 2026. Among the graduates was Jessica Roberts, of Zachary, who received a bachelor of science.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA: Two Zachary students were among the 14,306 students enrolled during spring semester 2026 at the University
ROTARY
of Alabama to be named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0.
Frances Barrier and Jessica Roberts, of Zachary, were named to the dean’s list.
CENTENARY: A total of 274
Centenary students have been named to the dean’s list for spring 2026.
Among those honored are Jackson Bunch, of Clinton, and Claudia Varnado, of Zachary
The honor list names all students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in 12 or more semester hours taken for a letter grade during the spring semester.
Lane ER leader speaks on processes of department
Community news report
At the May 14 Zachary Rotary Club luncheon, Billy Conerly, emergency room department director at Lane Regional Medical Center, spoke to Rotarians on “When Seconds Matter: What Happens Inside Your Local Emergency Room.” He provided an inside look at how patients are triaged using the Emergency Severity Index and how emergency rooms manage patient surges. Lane Regional’s Emergency Room operates with 21 beds, making efficiency and prioritization critical to patient care, he said, adding that the busiest times in the ER are between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Conerly also shared some common myths vs. realities about ER care:
n What you see on TV is true: No
n Patients are seen in order of arrival: Patients are prioritized based on medical urgency
n An empty waiting room means the ER isn’t busy: Staff may be treating critical patients behind closed doors
n Ambulance patients are always treated first: All patients are evaluated and triaged the same way; when the ER is full, ambulance patients may also wait n Patients with insurance receive VIP treatment: All patients are treated equally with quality, dignity and respect.
He emphasized why speed matters, especially in stroke care. Medical professionals often say, “Time is Brain,” because fast treatment can significantly reduce disability Early intervention, including clotbusting medications and mechanical clot removal, can restore blood flow and save lives.
Attendees were told how to recognize stroke symptoms, including:
n Face drooping n Arm weakness or numbness
n Speech difficulty or confusion
n Vision changes n Loss of balance or dizziness
n Sudden severe headache.
BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
Zachary wrestlers earn All-American status in Florida meet
Community news report
Baton Rouge Training Center wrestlers Jaxon Mancuso and Jackson DeSalvo earned Greco-Roman All-American honors at the 14U National Wrestling Duals in Tampa, Florida.
Competing as members of Team Louisiana, the two wrestlers faced some of the nation’s top competition and secured All-American status through their performances at the national event, a news release said. They were coached by Ba-
ton Rouge Training Center coach Ke-Shawn Hayes and Valhalla Wrestling coaches Kendon Kyser and Kaul Kyser The achievement places Mancuso and DeSalvo among the top Greco-Roman wrestlers in their age division.
Zachary’s Hollis Pellerin earns angus award
Community news report
Hollis Pellerin, of Zachary, has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s Bronze award, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Missouri Pellerin, 11, is the son of Chris and Shelley Pellerin and attends L&H Academy He is a member of the
NJAA and the Louisiana Junior Angus Association, where he serves as director He has participated in local, state and regional shows, and showmanship contests and has submitted DNA samples for Genomic Profile Testing through Angus Genetics Inc.
The Bronze award is the first level of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus
breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honor Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.
Zachary Rotary Club announces 2026 scholarship recipients
Community news report
The Zachary Rotary Club recently announced the recipients of its 2026 scholarship awards, recognizing outstanding students who exemplify the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” and who have made meaningful contributions to their community
The Rotary Club’s scholarship program honors stu-
dents who demonstrate academic excellence, strong leadership and a commitment to community service
This year, the Service Above Self Scholarship was awarded to Zachary High School graduate Jake Curry
In addition, two Overcomer Scholarships were presented to Angel Jeasonne and Karsyn Rish. These young women have demonstrated remarkable resilience, perseverance, and strength in overcoming personal challenges, a news release said. Their achievements reflect the spirit of determination and serve as an inspiration to others. The scholarships were presented by Zachary Rotary Club President Tamara Dayton during the Zachary High School Awards Ceremony
The Zachary Rotary Club welcomed Zach-
guiding the team to four state championships, Top 100 national rankings, and the development of numerous college-level athletes. Yet, for McClinton, the true achievement lies in the culture of the program a culture built on three core principles: Character Before Basketball, Embrace Adversity, and
Extraordinary Expectations, he said. He reminds his players, “Average is crowded. Excellence is rare.” His mission extends beyond the court. While victories are celebrated, the ultimate goal is to create an environment where excellence becomes the standard in all aspects of life.
Reflecting on his years as head coach, McClinton shared that he won’t remember every score or game, but rather the young men who have grown into college graduates, husbands, fathers, military members, coaches, teachers and leaders. This, he says, is the true legacy of the program.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Jaxon Mancuso, left, and Jackson DeSalvo, right, members of Team Louisiana, pose with Baton Rouge Training Center coach Ke-Shawn Hayes after earning Greco-Roman AllAmerican honors at the 14U National Wrestling Duals in Tampa, Fla.
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Billy Conerly, ER department director at Lane Regional Medical Center, with Zachary Rotary President Tamara Dayton
ZHS basketball coach Jon McClinton shares thoughts at lunch
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On June 11, 2026, the Zachary Rotary Club heard from Zachary High School head baseketball coach Jon McClinton at the guest speaker at its luncheon. McClinton posed with Rotary members and city officials.
