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