Louisiana House Bill HR190

Louisiana 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/4/17
• Passed: 6/7/17

Caption

Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education reconvene a Minimum Foundation Program task force to determine the actual cost of public education and identify potential funding mechanisms

Impact

This resolution aims to impact state laws surrounding public education funding by ensuring a detailed examination of the costs involved and identification of potential funding sources. By gathering a diverse set of stakeholders for the MFP task force, it seeks to inform more effective legislative approval processes for educational budgets. The task force is expected to submit its findings and recommendations for improving the MFP formula, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about adequate funding levels for education in Louisiana, which have been contentious in past years.

Summary

House Resolution No. HR190 urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to reconvene a Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) task force to determine the actual cost of providing public education in Louisiana. The resolution highlights the constitutional obligation of the legislature to ensure a quality education system, and the necessity for a clear understanding of educational funding needs in the state. It emphasizes the role of the MFP in equitably allocating funds to local school systems while addressing the diverse educational requirements of students.

Contesion

While the bill itself does not appear to directly generate significant controversy, the very topics it seeks to address, such as education funding, are often fraught with contention. There may be differing opinions on the adequacy of the current MFP formula and how best to address any shortcomings identified by the task force. The composition of the task force, as well as the methodologies and recommendations it produces, could also invite scrutiny, particularly from those who feel that certain perspectives may be underrepresented in the discussion.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding HR190 is supportive, as it gathers widespread backing from various educational stakeholders who see it as necessary for the advancement of public education in the state. Educational associations, school boards, and community organizations have expressed positive views towards the initiative, underlining the importance of adequate funding for the success of students. However, there may also be underlying concerns regarding how the outcomes of the task force will be implemented in practice, especially given past debates over educational funding.