Louisiana school board task force rejects $80 million budget increase for public schools
A state school board task force Thursday rejected a recommendation for an $80 million boost for Louisiana’s public school but backed Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposal to increase pay for teachers and support staff.
The task force guides the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) on the Minimum Foundation Program, the complex algorithm used to determine how much the state spends per public school student.
“I do not believe that the legislature will pass (an $80 million increase). I don’t believe that BESE will pass this,” said task force member Caroline Roemer, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools “So to me, we’re debating: Do we present something that sets the table for discussion and argument… but does not result in dollars?”
BESE meets next month to approve a budget for public schools it will then submit to the Legislature. Lawmakers can accept or reject the plan but cannot change it.
Read more: https://lailluminator.com/briefs/louisiana-school-board-task-force-rejects-80-million-budget-increase-for-public-schools/