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BESE backs changes to public school financing

by Walter Pierce

A task force suggested increased spending on technical training courses and special education students, along with an inflationary boost to the formula.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state's top school board is supporting proposals to change the way it divvies up $3.5 billion in annual funding for public schools.

Nearly all members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education backed recommendations Tuesday from a task force that reviewed the funding formula.

The task force suggested increased spending on technical training courses and special education students, along with an inflationary boost to the formula.

The ideas will be incorporated into the financing plan devised by BESE and submitted to lawmakers in March for consideration in the legislative session.

The suggestions don't go as far as unions and special education advocates would like.

Carolyn Hill of Baton Rouge was the only BESE member to oppose acceptance of the task force recommendations. Two other board members were absent.