Louisiana House Bill HCR17

Louisiana 2020 2nd Special Session

• Introduced: 9/30/20
• Refer: 9/30/20
• Report Pass: 10/12/20
• Engrossed: 10/13/20
• Refer: 10/14/20
• Report Pass: 10/21/20
• Passed: 10/22/20

Caption

Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to discuss possible adjustments to the Minimum Foundation Program formula in order to ensure adequate funding for school systems affected by Hurricane Laura or Hurricane Delta

Impact

The resolution calls for a formal discussion among BESE to analyze the MFP formula so that it can reflect the appropriate funding needs of school systems that either experienced a decrease in enrollment due to students leaving or an increase due to the influx of students from other areas. If any adjustments are deemed necessary, BESE is urged to adopt a revised formula and submit it for legislative consideration during the current extraordinary session.

Summary

HCR17 is a House Concurrent Resolution that urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to review and potentially adjust the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formula. This review is necessitated by the significant disruption of educational services caused by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. The storm's impact led to the closure of schools in multiple parishes and the displacement of thousands of families, resulting in fluctuating student enrollment numbers that need to be addressed to ensure equitable funding for affected school systems.

Sentiment

The spirit of HCR17 is generally supportive, with a consensus that the educational needs arising from the disasters must be adequately addressed. The resolution aims to provide all affected areas with the financial resources they need to support students, reflecting a proactive approach to hurricane recovery and educational support. It represents a collaborative effort between legislative bodies and educational authorities, acknowledging the unique financial challenges posed by recent natural disasters.

Contention

Although the resolution itself may not generate significant contention, discussions surrounding educational funding typically involve complex debates around resource allocation, particularly in times of crisis. Stakeholders might raise concerns regarding how quickly adjustments can be made to the MFP formula and whether the changes will sufficiently meet the needs of all affected school systems. Transparency in the revised formula and its adjustments could also spark discussions about fairness and accessibility of the educational resources across different parishes.