Overview
- Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order to take $168 million from the state Minimum Foundation Program to pay one-time stipends of $2,000 for classroom teachers and $1,000 for support staff.
- Three education advocates sued and a Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the reallocation from taking effect while the court considers whether the governor exceeded his authority.
- A hearing on whether to keep the injunction is scheduled for June 29 and the legal outcome will determine if lawmakers’ two-thirds approval is necessary or sufficient to implement the order.
- A Louisiana Federation of Teachers survey found nearly two-thirds of members oppose the plan and 91% worry that tapping MFP funds would lead to staff cuts, larger classes, reduced services, or other harms to students.
- The MFP is Louisiana’s main K–12 funding formula and critics say the move would average about a 5% cut in state aid to districts, exclude some school employees such as counselors and nurses, and could force districts to cut services or staff if the shift proceeds.