Louisiana House Bill HR297

Louisiana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/8/23
• Passed: 6/8/23

Caption

Requests BESE to recognize and include increased funding, as provided in House Bill No. 1 of the 2023 Regular Session, when developing and adopting a minimum foundation program formula for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year and in future years

Impact

The proposed resolution is set within the context of Louisiana's constitutional requirement for BESE to develop an MFP formula. By urging BESE to include these additional funding provisions, HR297 aims to influence state education funding policies positively. The expectation is that this initiative will lead to better financial support for educators, which may enhance the quality of education by attracting and retaining talented professionals in the school system. This increased funding is meant to recognize the contributions of educators and address long-standing issues regarding compensation.

Summary

House Resolution 297 urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to acknowledge increased funding from House Bill No. 1 for the development of the minimum foundation program (MFP) formula for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and beyond. The resolution highlights the funding components that include significant pay raises for both certificated and noncertificated personnel along with associated retirement contributions. Specifically, an across-the-board pay raise of $2,000 for certificated staff and $1,000 for noncertificated staff is sought, indicating a commitment to improving educator compensation.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HR297 appears to be predominantly supportive, as indicated by the strong vote tally in favor of the resolution (99 yeas to 2 nays). This reflects a bipartisan recognition of the importance of adequate funding for educational staff and the willingness to enhance financial support in the education sector. The broad coalition of support suggests a shared understanding that improving pay for educators is a critical step toward addressing educational challenges in the state.

Contention

While the resolution itself received substantial support, there may be underlying concerns related to the funding sources for these salary increases. The reliance on amending House Bill No. 1 to allocate the necessary funds outside the traditional MFP formula might raise questions about sustainability and the impact on other educational initiatives. Ensuring ongoing support for these pay raises without compromising other school programs or funding areas could be a point of contention in future discussions within the legislature.