Louisiana Senate Bill SCR20

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/13/15
• Refer: 4/14/15
• Report Pass: 5/20/15
• Passed: 5/25/15
• Engrossed: 5/26/15
• Refer: 5/27/15
• Report Pass: 6/2/15

Caption

Requests the Louisiana Board of Ethics to issue an advisory opinion regarding whether persons working at a public school even if employed by a private company, or public employees.

Impact

The bill addresses a critical public policy issue, potentially impacting numerous employees within the education sector. Due to the varying contractual relationships in place, many employees at charter schools believe they are not public employees and thus exempt from the provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics, including mandatory ethics training. By seeking clarity, SCR20 aims to standardize the definition of public employment in the context of charter and public schools, ensuring that all employees subject to governmental ethics guidelines receive the necessary training and oversight.

Summary

SCR20 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced by Senator Murray that urges the Louisiana Board of Ethics to issue an advisory opinion to clarify the status of employees at public schools who are employed by private companies. This resolution arises from the growing practice in Louisiana where public charter schools, often operated by for-profit companies, have employees who are not necessarily recognized under the definition of 'public employee' in the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics. Hence, there exists a significant need to ascertain whether these individuals are subject to the same ethical guidelines as traditional public school employees.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR20 appears to be primarily supportive among lawmakers and educational stakeholders who recognize the necessity for clarity in defining public employment within educational institutions. The urgency highlighted by the resolution underscores a broader concern regarding ethical governance in state-funded educational entities. However, there might also be resistance from private educational management companies that could be adversely affected by mandated regulations that impose ethical training and oversight on their employees.

Contention

A notable point of contention regarding SCR20 lies in the operational autonomy of charter schools and the implications of defining their employees as public servants. This resolution could potentially limit the operational flexibility of charter schools that utilize for-profit management companies. Advocates for charter school independence might argue that imposing the same ethical standards on private contractors could stifle innovation and the unique operational models that charter schools represent.