BESE member questions programs

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jul 4, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The state has spent $63 million in the past decade on after-school programs that badly need more oversight and accountability, a member of the state’s top school board said.

“I think we have to take a hard look at some of these programs and make some hard decisions,” said Tammie McDaniel of Oak Ridge, a member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The panel sets policies for about 650,000 public school students statewide.

McDaniel, a former principal and teacher, was named to the 11-member panel by Gov. Bobby Jindal in February.

The issue first surfaced during the board’s June meeting.

Under scrutiny are two after-school programs that:

• Provide 82 churches and other community-based organizations with $15,000 each this year to help young students with homework and other aid.

The state has spent $20.5 million on the effort since 1998.

• Provide reading and math aid through local community groups, which will soon include input from local school boards.

The state has allocated $42.7 million in federal welfare dollars for the aid since 2003.

Exactly how the money is parceled out and which students are eligible is unclear.

The state Department of Education and the state Department of Social Services both play roles in the allocations.

In addition, state legislators directly and indirectly play a role in how the money is spent, including the state operating budget that they approve.

Competitive bids are not required for either program, McDaniel said.

She said state and federal after-school dollars are being spent with lax controls while department priorities need funds, including efforts to revamp high schools, provide better school leadership and rescue failing schools.

“They have very little correlation with our initiatives and there is not a lot of accountability,” she said.

McDaniel also said the department has offered the programs as possible targets for cuts in spending when state budget officials sought candidates for reductions.