Louisiana Senate Bill SCR6

Louisiana 2020 2nd Special Session

• Introduced: 9/30/20
• Refer: 9/30/20
• Report Pass: 10/1/20
• Passed: 10/5/20
• Engrossed: 10/6/20
• Refer: 10/6/20
• Report Pass: 10/12/20

Caption

Requests BESE to adopt adjustments to the MFP formula to ensure that school districts impacted by Hurricane Laura do not lose funding during the 2020-2021 fiscal year due to decreases in student enrollment.

Impact

If adopted, SCR6 would amend the MFP formula, ensuring that districts in areas hard-hit by the hurricanes such as Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Caddo, and others, among others, are held harmless for decreased enrollment figures. This adjustment is critical as the MFP formula determines the allocation of state funds for education based on student enrollment. The resolution acknowledges the ongoing struggles of these districts to maintain educational services amid significant infrastructure damage and student displacement caused by the storms.

Summary

SCR6 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced to address the funding challenges faced by school districts in Louisiana that were impacted by Hurricanes Laura and Delta during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The resolution urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to make necessary adjustments to the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funding formula. The bill's intent is to ensure that affected school districts do not experience a decrease in funding due to the loss of student enrollment resulting from the hurricanes, which caused widespread displacement of families and damage to educational facilities.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR6 was broadly supportive among legislators, as evidenced by the unanimous vote of 35 to 0 in favor of the resolution. The urgency expressed in the legislative discussions highlighted a shared recognition of the difficulties posed by natural disasters on educational systems, fostering a collaborative spirit aimed at safeguarding education funding for vulnerable districts. However, the resolution faced some scrutiny from stakeholders concerned about the state’s capacity to adjust funding formulas consistently without establishing a long-term solution for similar future emergencies.

Contention

Notably, while legislation like SCR6 provides necessary immediate relief, it raises questions about long-term stability in educational funding. Critics argue that relying on temporary fixes such as holding districts harmless may not address underlying vulnerabilities in the funding structure. These discussions emphasize the need to balance immediate support with durable solutions that can withstand the impacts of future disasters or significant population shifts, reflecting broader concerns about the resilience of local educational frameworks in the face of environmental challenges.