Louisiana Senate Bill SR204

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/2/14
• Passed: 6/2/14

Caption

Requests BESE to convene a minimum foundation program task force to further examine the actual costs of educating a student in Louisiana public elementary and secondary schools.

Summary

Senate Resolution 204 (SR204) urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to establish a task force that will examine the actual costs of educating students in Louisiana's public elementary and secondary schools. The resolution highlights that the last comprehensive study regarding the actual costs of education was conducted in 1996, which means that the funding mechanisms in place may not accurately reflect current educational expenses. The task force is expected to explore various funding mechanisms that could sustain these actual costs effectively. The resolution emphasizes the need for a thorough review of the funding formula, known as the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), which is used to allocate funds to school systems. It seeks recommendations for adjustments to the MFP to ensure equitable and sufficient funding for public education, as well as continued support for specialized programs, such as career development and high needs students. The ultimate goal of SR204 is to ensure that students receive a quality education and that schools are adequately funded based on accurate financial assessments. The sentiment around SR204 appears to be supportive among educational stakeholders who advocate for a more precise understanding of educational expenses. They foresee the task force as a crucial step in determining how best to allocate resources to meet the educational needs of students. The inclusion of various educational associations and organizations in the task force composition points to a collaborative approach in addressing these challenges. This collaboration likely reflects a consensus that the current funding strategy may be lacking. Despite this general support, there may be contention regarding the implementation of the recommendations that arise from the task force. Some legislators might be concerned about the financial implications of adjusting the MFP and the potential pushback from various state stakeholders regarding funding allocations. Balancing the demands of educational needs with fiscal responsibility is likely to be a dominating theme in future discussions stemming from this resolution.