Allen School Board Opposes Education Savings Accounts
Published Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 6:37 AM
The Allen Parish School Board has gone on record as opposing a state law that allows state taxes to be used to pay for private schools and other education expenses through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).
The Board of Education on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the Education Savings Account (ESA) creation bill, which includes House Bill 745, which would create the Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program. Under this program, public funds will be used to pay for private school tuition and education costs.
“This bill could certainly impact funding for public education, so opposing it is in the best interest of us and public education across the state,” said School Board President Karen Reed. I think that's the case,” he said. “I’m 100 percent in favor of opposing it.”
The Board of Education is calling on Allen Parish's legislative delegation to vote against any bill proposing education savings accounts.
According to a resolution adopted by the Board of Education, the Legislature is working to pass new legislation that would give public funds used for private school tuition and other education costs directly to parents with little oversight. A concerted effort is underway.
Board members argue that for the past two decades, the state has failed to adequately fund K-12 public education and continues to impose new accountability on both students and schools.
Diverting public funds to private schools and other programs through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) without fully funding public schools is a disservice to Allen Diocese students and schools, the resolution states. . It further states that providing public funding for education savings accounts without requiring the same state accountability tests that are imposed on public school students is irresponsible public policy.
Superintendent Brad Soileau said there are too many unanswered questions regarding funding, including what happens if students leave the district.
“We introduced this bill, but there are still hundreds of unanswered questions,” Soileau said. “The biggest three are that you guys are taking our money and sending it to other places and they don't have the same accountability system. They don't have to take the LEAP test, We're not held to the same standards. How is that fair? What happens when a special education student with accommodations leaves the district? How much will the country have to pay for this? If you look at other states that have done this, the costs are huge. ”
Like many school officials, Soileau believes public schools are best for students. However, he said he was not against his parents' choice.
“We want a level playing field, especially when it comes to giving parents options,” he says. “I'm not against parental choice, but I'm not opposed to parents choosing to send their children to private schools and for the state to fund it from our money and hold people to the same standards as public schools. There is a difference in not imposing.”
“It's one thing to say you're not going to hold these schools to standards when you're not funding them, but when you start handing over the funds that go into running these schools, you have to protect everyone.” be. That's all we're asking for. ”
Board of Education Vice President Greg Monceau also expressed concern about the impact the move would have on public school funding and future accountability.
“Public schools are underfunded and many are already fighting for their lives,” Monceau said. “There will be too many problems in public schools.”
Monceau said there is a lack of information about how the program will operate and how it will impact public schools.
“If they (countries) pay them, will they be on the same playing field as us in terms of testing and so on?” Monceau asked. “There's still a lot that's not clear about that and for me it's something that should be made public. They should let the public know if they're going to be on the same playing field and then we can We can also see if they are on the same level as us.”
The Allen Parish School Board provides free K-12 public education to students residing within the district within state and federal guidelines.