Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage and assist local school districts to enter into cooperative endeavor agreements to bulk purchase products and services in order to save valuable education dollars.
Impact
If enacted, SR166 will have significant implications for state laws regarding the procurement practices of school districts. By encouraging cooperative purchasing, it aims to reduce costs associated with buying supplies and services, freeing up valuable education dollars that can be redirected towards enhancing educational programs. The resolution highlights the potential for improved strategic partnerships among districts, fostering a more cohesive approach to servicing educational needs across the state.
Summary
Senate Resolution 166 urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to promote cooperative endeavor agreements among local school districts for bulk purchasing of products and services. The resolution aims to help these districts save money in their procurement processes by allowing smaller agencies to benefit from the competitive prices negotiated by larger entities. This collaborative approach is believed to enhance efficiency and value in the educational sector, contributing to better allocation of resources.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SR166 appears to be largely supportive, particularly among those advocating for more innovative and cost-effective measures in education. Stakeholders recognize the potential for cooperative purchasing to alleviate budget constraints faced by smaller school districts. However, there may be concerns regarding the uniformity of procurement practices and whether this could inadvertently disadvantage some districts based on their capacity to engage in such cooperative efforts.
Contention
While SR166 presents a forward-thinking approach to procurement, there are underlying points of contention that may arise. Critics might argue that varying degrees of cooperation among districts can lead to unequal access to resources or that smaller districts may struggle to engage meaningfully in a cooperative model. Additionally, oversight regarding the agreements and their implementation may come into question, potentially complicating the procurement process rather than simplifying it as intended.
Requests the state Department of Education, in consultation with the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, to study pathways to the teaching profession
Requests the Louisiana Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide specific information in a report to the Senate committees on finance and education relative to cameras in certain classrooms.
Requests that the state Department of Education revise the proposed early learning and development standards and submit its version to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for consideration
Increases the amount of the individual income tax deductions for elementary and secondary school tuition, educational expenses for home-schooled children, and educational expenses for a quality public education (EN -$2,200,000 GF RV See Note)
Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the state Department of Education, to develop a policy relative to the issuance of posthumous high school diplomas to deceased high school students
Requests the Louisiana Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit an annual report to the Senate committees on Education and Finance on how differentiated teacher pay, contained in the Minimum Foundation Program formula, is applied and distributed in a fair and equitable fashion.
Authorizes the sale of certain school property by the Natchitoches Parish School Board and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. (gov sig)
Requests that the state Dept. of Education revise the proposed early learning and development standards and submit its version to the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education for consideration
Increases the individual income tax exemption for deposits into certain education savings accounts for tuition expenses for elementary and secondary schools. (8/1/23) (OR DECREASE GF RV See Note)