Senator wants details on school request
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The chairman of the Senate Education Committee on Friday asked the state’s top school board for more information before his panel acts on a $3.3 billion public school aid request.
State Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, made the request one day after he temporarily shelved legislation that would freeze basic state aid to public schools for the first time in at least 12 years.
State aid usually rises by at least 2.75 percent annually for inflation, which would be $66 million this year.
The money is allocated to about 650,000 students statewide through a complex formula called the Minimum Foundation Program.
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, at Gov. Bobby Jindal’s request, is asking the Louisiana Legislature to freeze school aid this year because of a predicted $1.3 billion revenue drop.
Lawmakers can only approve or reject the request but cannot change it. State education leaders said they are unsure whether Nevers’ request will require the board to submit a new funding request.
Nevers said in his letter to the board that he wants:
- Clarity in the funding request to ensure school aid increases in the future.
- More details on how special federal aid for public schools can be used.
- Assurances that students who need remediation on key state tests will get assistance.
Penny Dastugue of Mandeville, chairwoman of the board’s finance committee, said a meeting will be held on Monday to try to address Nevers’ concerns.
Dastugue said the gathering will include herself, Keith Guice of Monroe, president of the board, two superintendents, Nevers or a representative of his office and state Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek.
“Our goal is to address these issues with him (Nevers) and send a letter and move this along,” Dastugue said.
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