Bogalusa superintendent warns state plan to reallocate MFP funds would cut district budget

The superintendent told the City of Bogalusa School District board that a proposed state action to fund raises for certain employees would be paid by redirecting part of the district's Minimum Foundation Program allotment, potentially reducing the district's funding by about $383,000 and forcing the use of fund balance to maintain basic operations.

"So basically, he's going to take the money from our MFP before we get it and then force us to give a raise," the superintendent said, describing a state letter that would shift money out of the district's MFP. She said the state would issue $2,000 to some teachers and $1,000 to some support staff but that many district employees — custodians, cafeteria workers, therapists and some pre-K staff — are excluded from the listed object codes.

Why it matters: The superintendent said the change would not be an across-the-board increase and would reduce aid that the district relies on for day-to-day operations. "This does not include custodians, does not include cafeteria workers, does not include therapists," she said, adding that the district expects a reduction she referenced verbally as "$383,32" (spoken in the meeting), which she described elsewhere as approaching a $400,000 impact.

Board members and staff raised the practical implications: the district already uses fund balance for operations and has limited reserves relative to other districts, the superintendent said. She urged employees and residents to contact state senators and representatives and noted that she would attend a statewide administrators' meeting in Baton Rouge to press the issue.

A long-serving board member added historical context, saying the state has not fully funded the MFP formula for decades and warning that allowing a one-off reallocation could set a precedent. "The state of Louisiana has never fully funded the MFP," he said, adding that the formula and the state's practice of underfunding education have persisted across administrations.

Next steps: The superintendent said she will pursue clarification at the Baton Rouge meeting, that the district will analyze the formal state letter, and that board and staff will notify constituents and legislators to oppose the reallocation if possible.