Republican lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee express concerns over proposed teacher pay raises and funding for low-performing schools. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland said a proposed two-thousand dollar teacher pay hike will cost the state an additional 196-million dollars a year, and what happens when state revenues decline?
“What we are going to be tasked with doing is figuring out how we’re going to cut somebody else’s budget to put that in.”
Meanwhile, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes “A” and “B” graded school systems should be awarded with additional state funding. He believes that philosophy will incentivize average to below average performing school systems.
“’C, D, F school, get your act together, address truancy, address whatever it is that’s keeping you as an F and then you’ll get more money too, and then maybe that’ll incentivize people to actually get something done.”
But Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons said a lack of effort is not why Louisiana has “D” and “F” graded schools.
“We have a bunch of staff and support workers working their tails off trying to improve where we are.”
The teacher pay raise proposal and funding for public school discussion will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.
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