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Orleans Parish School Board opposes governor's MFP reallocation, adopts Resolution 15-26
Summary
The Orleans Parish School Board on June 17 adopted Resolution 15-26 opposing Governor Jeff Landry's Executive Order 26-047, arguing the order would reallocate Minimum Foundation Program funds to one-time teacher stipends and could force program cuts and layoffs; the board urged sustainable, recurring state funding instead.
The Orleans Parish School Board voted unanimously June 17 to adopt Resolution 15-26 opposing Governor Jeff Landry's Executive Order 26-047, which would reallocate Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) dollars toward a one-time stipend for teachers and support staff.
President Eames convened the special meeting, and after a staff reading of the proposed resolution the board moved and seconded the measure and took a roll-call vote that carried the resolution. The resolution cites a statewide $168,000,000 MFP reduction in the executive order and an estimated $10,110,056 impact to Orleans Parish's allocation — about 5% of the district's MFP and roughly $230 per pupil for the district's roughly 44,000 students.
Dr. Joanne Brown Alexander, deputy superintendent, spoke for Superintendent Fatima Fulmore and said the district appreciates efforts to improve educator pay but warned the executive order's approach is harmful because it reallocates existing operational funds rather than providing recurring state funding. "This executive order creates an uneven and potentially harmful dynamic," Dr. Brown Alexander said, warning that some educators could receive stipends while other districts face layoffs, and that tapping reserves would weaken districts' ability to respond to disasters.
Board member Jervedon questioned the legal basis for the governor's action, saying the constitutional process for adjusting the MFP requires legislative action and calling the executive order "patently unconstitutional." Jervedon also raised concerns about the potential for the statewide measure to force difficult budget choices and erode emergency fund balances that have been critical in past disaster responses.
Board member Baldwin said she supported the resolution and hoped it would provide legislators with context and cover to oppose the executive order. President Eames said the policy would be "reckless" for many districts and could cause "complete devastation," although she noted Orleans Parish may be less immediately exposed because of larger reserves.
The resolution urges state legislators to oppose Executive Order 26-047 and calls on the governor and lawmakers to pursue sustainable, recurring state appropriations to fund educator compensation instead of redirecting MFP dollars that support transportation, special education, school safety, maintenance and other core services. The board directed that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to appropriate legislative officials and other interested parties.
The board took the action by roll-call vote; the motion carried. There were no further items on the agenda and the meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
