Bill to boost school aid comes closer to approval
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Legislation that would boost basic state aid to public schools by 3 percent, and help keep teacher salaries at the Southern average, moved within one step of final approval Wednesday.
The legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 207, won approval in the Senate Education Committee. It next faces action in the full Senate, where easy approval is expected.
The measure is the $3.2 billion funding package that aids 650,000 public school students starting on July 1.
The proposal would boost state aid to schools by $90 million, up from the $80 million sought by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education initially sought a $109 million increase. However, the panel trimmed that request after state leaders said it would not be approved.
The Legislature can only approve or reject the board’s funding request but cannot change it.
Last year lawmakers approved a 6 percent increase in school aid, which was $198 million.
This year’s package includes:
One issue that keeps getting attention is how the state plans to pay for this year’s teacher pay raises.
The increase would cost $70 million. The $14 million from the school bill comes from money that otherwise would help pay for additional pay raises in select districts.
“We did expect some push back because this is new,” said Penny Dastugue of Mandeville, a member of the state education board.
“We did not really receive any resistance,” Dastugue added. “Frankly we were surprised.”
Teachers were paid an average of $46,800 for the school year that ended last month, according to a state panel that keeps track of salaries.
The legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 207, won approval in the Senate Education Committee. It next faces action in the full Senate, where easy approval is expected.
The measure is the $3.2 billion funding package that aids 650,000 public school students starting on July 1.
The proposal would boost state aid to schools by $90 million, up from the $80 million sought by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education initially sought a $109 million increase. However, the panel trimmed that request after state leaders said it would not be approved.
The Legislature can only approve or reject the board’s funding request but cannot change it.
Last year lawmakers approved a 6 percent increase in school aid, which was $198 million.
This year’s package includes:
- $55 million in cost-of-living increases for school districts statewide, which would boost state spending per student to $3,855 from $3,752.
- $14 million to help finance $1,019 pay raises for public school teachers, administrators and others.
- $10 million to boost state aid for students from poor families.
One issue that keeps getting attention is how the state plans to pay for this year’s teacher pay raises.
The increase would cost $70 million. The $14 million from the school bill comes from money that otherwise would help pay for additional pay raises in select districts.
“We did expect some push back because this is new,” said Penny Dastugue of Mandeville, a member of the state education board.
“We did not really receive any resistance,” Dastugue added. “Frankly we were surprised.”
Teachers were paid an average of $46,800 for the school year that ended last month, according to a state panel that keeps track of salaries.
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