Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for $39 million in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash.
“Just right here in Baton Rouge, I think they’ve recognized something like a $40 million deficit in East Baton Rouge School Board. So it would be a hollow victory for a teacher to get a pay raise in one hand and a lay off in the other,” said Edwards.
Lawmakers seem to be in agreement on a teacher pay raise. House Republicans propose a $1200 dollar raise for teachers, $600 for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving the additional $39 million in public school funding. But Edwards is confident he’ll be able to deliver more money to local school districts.
“I believe the votes are there to support the resolution as it is and an appropriation in that amount, both in the House and in the Senate,” said Edwards.
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long.
“I think it is time that we do that because the state hasn’t done that in a number of years and there has been tremendous pressures put on our school districts as a result,” said Edwards.
