Public School Funding Plan OK’d (LA)
June 22, 2010
A new public school funding plan that’s basically the same as what’s now implemented gained final legislative approval Monday amid a bit of controversy.
The Senate approved the $3.3 billion funding formula in HCR248 with a 39-0 vote after defeating a proposed amendment by Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, who handled New Orleans Rep. Austin Badon’s legislation on the floor of the Senate.
In an unusual move, Nevers tried to attach an amendment to the resolution requiring that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education supply to the Legislature a copy of the superintendent of education’s job effectiveness appraisal. No amendment has even been attempted to the yearly legislation but legislators have, like this year, sent the proposal back to BESE for rewriting.
Opponents of the amendment, led by Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, argued that the Legislature had no authority to alter the formula and if it was approved, it could jeopardize passage of the Minimum Foundation Program on the final day of the session.
"We’re going down a place we have never been before," Walsworth said. "I’m very hesitant to put the MFP at risk for an amendment."
Nevers said that since his proposal would not affect how money is distributed to school systems, there’s no problem.
Sen. Bob Kostelka, R-Monroe, agreed with Nevers that the Legislature should know how the superintendent is evaluated. He said Walsworth’s concern that the resolution could fall into a crack on the last day "is nothing but scare tactics."
The Senate voted 27-12 against the proposal.< ;br />
The funding formula supplies about 40 percent of the cost of running public schools but because some parishes are wealthier than others, that percentage can differ among school systems. It’s much higher in low-income areas and lower in parishes that can raise more local dollars, but there’s a provision that state funding can’t drop below 25 percent of the cost of running public schools.
BESE originally asked for a $109 million increase in state aid but lawmakers rejected that proposal, citing budget problems.
The new formula will bring changes for some school districts.
The formula has had provisions for additional funding if student enrollment increases during the year but this one has a provision to reduce funds if enrollment drops.
The base funding amount remains at $3,855 per pupil but there are provisions that allot higher amounts for students needing special education, including gifted and talented, and participating in specialized programs.
The formula continues providing local school systems $100 per student for increased mandated costs involving health insurance, retirement and fuel.
It eliminates emergency funding assistance that was granted this year to Morehouse ($1.6 million) and Union ($1 million) parish school systems.