Regarding the Lafayette Parish school system, provides relative to the transportation of students on field trips (EG -$355,314 LF EX See Note)
Impact
The enactment of HB 1188 stipulates that operational costs for field trips should not exceed one dollar per mile, with funds collected designated for specific uses. If the bus is owned by the school system, the money contributes to maintenance expenses. Conversely, if owned by an employee, it is paid similarly to the employee's salary. This change is set to impact budgeting and financial management within the Lafayette Parish school system, specifically regarding its field trip protocols to ensure clear procedures are in place.
Summary
House Bill 1188 focuses on establishing guidelines and procedures for the transportation of students in the Lafayette Parish school system during field trips. The bill specifies regulations regarding whether the trips occur within or outside the school system's geographic boundaries and applies to transportation using school or activity buses. A notable aspect of the bill is its provision for driver compensation, which is capped at $20 per hour for driving time and $10 per hour for non-driving tasks during field trips, with particular stipulations for payment amounts based on ownership of the bus used for transportation.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 1188 appears to be generally supportive, especially among educators and school officials who appreciate the clarity it brings to transportation logistics and driver compensation. There could be some concerns amongst school board members regarding the administrative handling of payments and operational costs, but it seems there is an overarching agreement about the necessity of structured guidelines for student transportation during field trips.
Contention
A point of contention could revolve around the caps placed on driver compensation and the parameters surrounding the operational cost charges. Stakeholders may debate whether the financial limits set for drivers are sufficient to secure qualified personnel for field trips. Additionally, there might be discussions regarding the allocation of expenses between school-owned and employee-owned buses, raising questions about fairness and resource distribution within the school system.
Provides for the structure and organization of governance of the school system in Lafayette Parish, including a commission to propose a plan therefor and for voter approval (OR SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)
Provides relative to the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, parent petitions for certain schools to be transferred to the RSD, charter school authorizers, and course providers (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)