This article was reported by LSU Manship School News Service..
Louisiana parents would receive between $5,000 and $15,000 in state fees to send their children to private schools under a Landry administration bill moving through the state Legislature.
The Louisiana GATOR scholarship program passed the House Appropriations Committee on a 13-8 vote Tuesday despite concerns about cost and implementation.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Julie Emerson (R-Carencro), would create an education savings account that would allow families to apply for state funds to send their children to the private schools of their choice.
The bill passed the House Education Committee unanimously last week. Critics worry it will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year, weaken the public school system and reduce educational accountability.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has ordered state agencies to tighten spending and expressed concern about the potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue when a portion of the state sales tax expires next year.
The Legislative Fiscal Service estimates that education savings accounts could cost the state more than $250 million a year by the third year. Outside experts estimate that the program could ultimately cost taxpayers between $350 million and $500 million a year.
According to the bill, funding would range from $5,100 for students from high-income families to $15,000 for children with special needs.
Mr. Emerson promoted the idea, saying: “Some schools may have groups of students whose needs are not being met at all and who would like to explore other options, but they cannot afford them. This will help them' afford it,'' Emerson said.
For the first year of the program, backers are asking for $1.8 million in setup costs. This includes contracting with a vendor to create a digital wallet for parents to access their accounts.
In the second and third years, costs increase based on student and school enrollment in the program.
“It's going to be an estimate, so we don't really know until the student starts applying,” Emerson said. “So the amount of money that will be appropriated for the program will be decided by Congress in the next few years.”
Some members of the Appropriations Committee were concerned about unknown costs, how the program would be implemented, and who would oversee how participants spent their funds.
“We have kids who can't afford to get an education. That's part of the reason we're at the bottom of everything. Because there are poor people who can't afford it.” Stone wall. “Basically, I'm not sure that giving people money just because you asked for it and because you're not satisfied is the answer to this question.”
Emerson said the bill has safeguards in place, including having the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education oversee the program, establish regulations, and have the program audited annually to ensure it runs smoothly. He said that it was
Stephen Procopio, a resident at the Public Affairs Research Council, a nonpartisan policy group, expressed concern about what would happen if the allocated funds were not enough to cover all families who wanted to participate. did.
“First come, first served?” Procopio said. “I'm hearing that that's a possibility. That would give potentially wealthy families access to it, so I'm concerned about that. I don't know what it would be proportionately. I'm concerned about that. It becomes.”
However, he said the problem could be rectified by rules introduced by BESE, such as giving priority to children with disabilities and children from low-income families.
Danny Garrett of the Louisiana Association of School Boards Executive Committee said his organization tried to join LA GATOR, but private schools don't have to use the same accountability tests or follow the rules, so accountability He explained that he was unable to participate due to concerns. Same content standards.
“You have to have real accountability when you spend money like that. The only way to know if they're doing a good job is to get them tested,” Garrett said. said.
