Today, a Denham Springs businessman announced his campaign for Livingston Parish School Board District 5.
Chris Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of Shamrock Marine, has decided to run for a seat that has not been contested in roughly 20 years. Taylor, who oversees human resources, safety, and operations for more than 250 employees across Louisiana and Texas says his business experience will help push important priorities for both Denham Springs area schools, and the school board as a whole.
"I'm running because every decision the School Board makes should be guided by one question: what's best for our students?," Taylor said. "Our teachers deserve to know they have our support, parents deserve to know their children are safe, and our community deserves leadership that plans for the future instead of simply maintaining the status quo."
According to Taylor's campaign, four priorities guide Taylor's push for the school board: improving school safety, standing up for teachers, increasing teacher pay through responsible budgeting without raising taxes, and planning for the continued growth of Denham Springs.
Taylor, if elected, would represent one of the three Denham Springs districts. In his campaign announcement, Taylor challenged what he called the 'status quo' of the Denham Springs area schools, including the lack of concrete plans for a second high school in an area which has seen rapid growth in the past 15 years. The school board purchased land on 4H Club Road, in front of the Nickens Lake subdivision, for a high school but no plans as of yet have materialized for the site due to construction costs.
"I believe Livingston Parish must begin better planning now for future enrollment growth," Taylor explained, "so today's students are not forced to deal with tomorrow's overcrowding."
Taylor even had a name for the potential second high school - 'Shawn Kelly High School,' named for the Denham Springs Police officer who was gunned down in 2023 after a routine traffic stop turned fatal.
"District 5 hasn't had a contested School Board election in twenty years," Taylor explained to the News. "This year, voters have an opportunity to change that. I believe it's time to break from the status quo, restore accountability to the voters, and move our schools and our parish forward with fresh leadership."
Although Taylor outlined his plans to push for a second high school, he explained that protecting students 'must remain the School Boards highest priority.' Taylor supports strengthening campus security by controlling access points, improving physical security, and ensuring schools are prepared to respond to emergencies.
Taylor also advocates for identifying new revenue sources, that do not require increased taxes, to help support teacher pay raises because 'attracting and retaining great teachers requires competitive salaries,' he said.
Taylor has lived in Livingston Parish since 2005, and in Denham Springs since 2007 and is a graduate of Northwestern State University with a degree in Business Administration. He is the father of three daughters, all graduates of Doyle High School.
For more information about Chris Taylor's campaign for Livingston Parish School Board District 5, visit www.christaylorforlivingston.com.
