Education officials cite looming cuts

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Dec 4, 2008 - Page: 15A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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After several years of solid gains, state aid for public schools faces “dramatic” reductions because of the state’s looming shortfall of $1.3 billion, education officials said Wednesday.

“It is clear we are going to be making some very difficult decisions,” said Penny Dastugue, of Mandeville, chairwoman of the finance committee for the state’s top school board.

Dastugue said a state panel will finalize the budget forecast in mid-December.

“All indications are it is going to be very bad news,” she said.

The issue surfaced during the December meeting of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The 11-member panel sets policies for 650,000 public school students statewide.

Earlier this year, the Legislature approved a $90 million increase in basic state aid to public schools, about 3 percent increase.

In 2007, lawmakers approved a $198 million increase in school aid, about 6 percent. They also boosted average pay for teachers to the regional average for the first time.

Dastugue said she was asked recently whether the state could get by on less than an increase of 2.75 percent over existing spending, which is considered a standstill figure.

All the national and state economic signs suggest the budget impact on public schools “is going to be dramatic,” she told colleagues.

Dastugue’s committee oversees the formula that allocates state aid to public schools throughout Louisiana.

John Bennett, of Port Allen, who is in his first year on the board, echoed Dastugue’s concerns.

“There will be some very unpleasant decisions that we have to make,” Bennett said. “I have a feeling that there are going to be trying times for us all.”