Understanding the Proposed MFP Funding Shift πΈ
Teachers and support staff deserve competitive compensation. A recently proposed plan by the Governor aims to fund temporary stipends by redirecting $168 million from the stateβs public schoolsβ operating fund, the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). While the proposal is intended to support educators, it would do so by reducing the funding school systems receive to operate and serve students.
Hereβs how this shift at the state level would impact our school district. π
π Reduces Operational Funds Received from the State
This proposal would reduce operational funds allocated by the state to St. Charles Parish Public Schools through the MFP by 11%. Reduced funding could lead to cuts in programs, services, and resources that directly support our students and schools.
β οΈ Restricts Use of Funds
Over the last five years, the St. Charles Parish School Board independently raised employee pay by more than 15%, bringing our teacher salary range to $63,000-$84,840 (based on highest degree earned and years of service). This investment has helped make our district one of the highest-paying school systems in Louisiana and highly competitive throughout the Southeast region, allowing us to attract and retain certified teachers. Because higher local salaries result in higher mandatory benefit costs, local funding would need to be reallocated to cover the additional benefits associated with this stipend.
π« Excludes Key Staff
The stateβs stipend formula excludes many vital employees. Under the current plan, positions such as specialists, counselors, therapists, school nurses, principals, and assistant principals would not receive the stipend. When compensation increases are provided to one group while other employees are excluded, it creates inequity and division within an organization.
A one-size-fits-all mandate ignores local efforts and penalizes systems like ours that have already done what state leaders are encouraging all systems to do. Louisianaβs educators deserve meaningful compensation. Students deserve stable schools. We can and should accomplish both.
Let's work together to advocate for solutions that protect local progress and keep our district and state strong. πͺ