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
By requesting BESE to recognize the need for increased funding, HCR147 aims to directly impact the state’s educational funding framework. Specifically, the resolution seeks to amend how funds are allocated, emphasizing the significance of outer legislative action to enhance financial provisions outside the traditional formula. If adopted, the resolution would allow for across-the-board pay increases of $2,000 for certificated personnel and $1,000 for noncertificated personnel, potentially addressing salary disparities and incentivizing recruitment and retention of educational staff across Louisiana.
Summary
HCR147 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the 2023 Regular Session that urges the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to include increased funding provisions provided in House Bill No. 1 when developing the minimum foundation program (MFP) formula for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year and in future years. The resolution outlines a specific intention to mandate funding increases for both certificated and noncertificated personnel as part of the MFP, ensuring that teachers and school staff receive necessary pay raises and retirement contributions.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HCR147 reflects a consensus on the importance of adequately funding education. Supporters argue that these increases are necessary to support the education workforce, thereby enhancing the quality of education students receive. Nevertheless, there may be concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of such funding increases and whether these adjustments will be consistently recognized in future legislative sessions. Overall, the push for increased funding appears to align with broader goals of educational improvement and employee welfare within the state.
Contention
While the bill is generally seen as a constructive step towards improving educational funding, notable points of contention may arise around the feasibility of the proposed changes. Concerns could be raised regarding the potential impact on the state budget and the dependent factors influencing future funding allocations. There may also be discussion regarding how effectively BESE can implement these funding requests and whether they will translate into real, measurable increases in teacher and staff salaries. Ultimately, the resolution invites further legislative dialogue on educational finance reform in Louisiana.
Provides for the methodology the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education uses to count students for purposes of the minimum foundation program (MFP) formula (OR +$100,000 GF EX See Note)
Creates a study group to study truancy, including potentially adjusting the student count methodology used in the public school funding formula in the effort to address truancy
Provides for funding any laboratory school operated by a public postsecondary education institution in the University of Louisiana System through the minimum foundation program
Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.
Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.