DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 324 Original 2019 Regular Session Leger
Abstract: Establishes a systemwide needs program for the Orleans Parish school system.
Proposed law establishes a systemwide needs program for the Orleans Parish school district to direct
initiatives that will result in districtwide improvements in areas that cannot be addressed efficiently
or effectively at the school level.
Requires the school district to create a special fund to dedicate money to the program. Provides for
the annual deposit into the fund of $120 per student in the district less the district's expenditures that
year for costs identified in present law (relative to certain legacy expenses). Limits expenditures
from the fund by the district superintendent only to implement a plan for improvement in one or
more particular areas of focus. Requires the district superintendent to submit such plans to the
school board for approval.
Provides that funds to implement plans approved by the school board shall be awarded, through a
competitive process, to schools to procure materials or services from district-approved organizations
or vendors and to organizations or vendors that either provide services directly to schools, educators,
or students or coordinate support by providing subgrants to schools or contracting with organizations
to provide goods or services to schools, educators, or students, or any combination thereof.
Provides that funding applications shall be approved according to school board policy. Prohibits
expenditures from the fund except as provided in proposed law. Prohibits expenditures from the
fund in excess of the amount approved by the school board for a particular area of focus.
(Amends R.S. 17:3995(A)(1)(b)(iii); Adds R.S. 17:100.12)