HLS 19RS-2791 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 228
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
SCHOOLS/DISTRICTS: Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
to study challenges of rural school systems impacted by economic downturn
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study
3 challenges faced by rural school systems impacted by economic downturn resulting
4 in decreased revenues and declining student populations and to submit a written
5 report of its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education
6 no later than January 31, 2020.
7 WHEREAS, rural communities across Louisiana experience unique challenges,
8including lack of a strong economic base to support sufficient funding for public education;
9and
10 WHEREAS, school systems in rural communities with low property values and little
11industry struggle due to this insufficient funding for public education; and
12 WHEREAS, the loss of even one large employer within a rural community has a
13dramatic negative effect on the financial viability of the local school system resulting in
14decreased revenues and declining student enrollment; and
15 WHEREAS, as a significant barrier faced by these rural school systems, inadequate
16funding is further compounded by other challenges such as high-poverty rates, growing
17populations of English Language Learners, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining
18qualified teachers; and
19 WHEREAS, in addition, many rural school systems have to spend a higher share of
20their budgets on transportation and other non-instructional costs due to their locations and
21dispersed student populations; and
Page 1 of 3 HLS 19RS-2791 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 228
1 WHEREAS, measures that can be used by rural school systems to compensate for
2these challenges include sharing services, resources, and personnel across school systems,
3school system consolidation, and school closures; and
4 WHEREAS, although these measures have been successful in some cases, these
5options may not be available to all rural school systems in the state due to the costs and time
6required; and
7 WHEREAS, the minimum foundation program (MFP) was created to ensure that all
8school systems, regardless of wealth, are able to secure the funds necessary to meet the
9needs of all students; and
10 WHEREAS, the MFP is designed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
11Education with separate calculations to provide funding for different educational needs and
12costs; and
13 WHEREAS, rural school systems have distinctive needs and challenges that require
14policies and solutions that consider the specific needs of rural students, educators, and
15communities.
16 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
17Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the State Board of Elementary and
18Secondary Education to study challenges faced by rural school systems impacted by
19economic downturn resulting in decreased revenues and declining student populations and
20to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on
21Education no later than January 31, 2020.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report shall include but not be limited to the
23following:
24 (1) A list of Louisiana's rural school systems, a summary of each system's financial
25status including but not limited to the information specific to each school system as
26contained in the "Annual Financial and Statistical Report" published by the state Department
27of Education, and an overview of the financial risks or vulnerabilities that each such system
28may be experiencing.
29 (2) Options and recommendations to identify measures to be taken to ensure that
30rural school systems remain viable and responsive to the needs of their students and families.
Page 2 of 3 HLS 19RS-2791 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 228
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall be conducted in collaboration
2with the Louisiana School Boards Association and the Louisiana Association of School
3Superintendents.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
5president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state
6superintendent of education, the president and the executive director of the Louisiana School
7Boards Association, and the president of the Louisiana Association of School
8Superintendents.
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)]
HR 228 Original 2019 Regular Session McFarland
Requests the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education to study challenges faced
by rural school systems impacted by economic downturn resulting in decreased revenues and
declining student populations and to submit a written report of its findings and
recommendations to the House Committee on Education by Jan. 1, 2020.
Page 3 of 3