Jindal proposes standstill funding for schools

Gov. Bobby Jindal says he’ll propose a standstill funding formula for public schools next year. Jindal says he’ll recommend against any cuts to the Minimum Foundation Program formula that divvies up money among the state’s 70 school districts, even as colleges and health services are on the chopping block. The governor announced his education funding recommendation today at the Governor’s Mansion, standing with several members of the state education board and school superintendents. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is expected to vote on the FY11-12 school year funding plan later this week. If BESE and lawmakers agree, it will be the third year in a row without additional money for districts, after years of annual 2.75% increases. Jindal also announced he was launching a pilot program for student-based-budgeting in six parishes in the fall; Iberville Parish public schools will participate in the program. In student-based budgeting, dollars are allocated for each child in the system, and the money follows the boys and girls to the individual schools they attend. Jindal says the plan will give principals greater autonomy and supervision over school budgets, ensuring that dollars are spent in a way that will have the most impact on children.