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Bill would transfer OGB surplus to state general fund

April 23, 2011 by tomaswell

Rep. Jim Fannin (D-Jonesboro) has authored a bill that would alter current law by allowing Gov. Bobby Jindal to use much of the current $500 million Office of Group Benefits (OGB) surplus to help plug the gaping $1.6 billion state budget deficit.

Fannin is Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Controversy has swirled around Jindal’s attempts to privatize OGB because of the manner in which the administration brought Wall Street banking firm Goldman Sachs in on early efforts to draft a request for proposals (RFP) for a financial assessment of the agency and to marked OGB to potential buyers.

Goldman Sachs, after helping draft the RFP, turned out to be the only company to submit a proposal and now stands to reap up to $6 million for its work in helping to sell the agency.

The law that created OGB stipulates that benefits for about a quarter million state employees, retirees and their dependents may be paid by any provider. That language would allow Jindal to sell the agency without the necessity of legislative approval, said a source within the Division of Administration.

Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater said there would be no financial impact on OGB members.

But if OGB is sold, it would eliminate about 150 jobs in the agency and would also allow any purchaser to raise premiums, reduce benefits, or both, contract with a third party administrator or re-sell OGB to another buyer. Either way, once sold, all state control of OGB would be lost.

Besides the $500 million surplus currently on the OGB books, the agency also collects about $1.1 billion per year in premiums. State Sen. Butch Gautreaux (D-Morgan City), chairman of the Senate Retirement Committee and a member of the OGB board, has made no secret of his opposition to the auctioning off of OGB.

He said if premiums are worth $1 billion and the agency has a $500 million surplus, then the selling price should be at least $1.5 billion. “I support getting rid of a state agency that doesn’t work,” Gautreaux said. “But this (OGB) isn’t costing the state. This is a great value.”

Rainwater acknowledged as much when he said the OGB $500 million reserves are an attractive selling point because the private company that ultimately purchases the agency would not have to dip into its own capital to pay claims.

He said the current surplus exists because of initiatives overseen by former OGB CEO Tommy Teague, whom the administration abruptly fired on April 15. No reason has been given by Rainwater for Teague’s firing.

Teague was only six months away from qualifying for retirement when he was shown the door.

Gautreaux said he fears that privatization will drive up costs for state workers who are already facing increased contributions to their retirement plans. He charged that Jindal is targeting state workers, who could lose their jobs if they object publicly to the sale. “I call it predatory politics,” he said. “You go after the weakest of the herd.”

Preliminary estimates indicate that whoever purchases OGB would receive about $300 million to $350 million of the agency’s $500 million surplus with the state receiving the remainder.

But R.S. 42:854(C) has stood between Jindal and his desire to reap any political hay in the form of a cash influx. That statute says, “Not withstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any money received by or under the control of the Office of Group Benefits shall not be used, loaned, or borrowed by the state for cash flow purposes or any other purpose inconsistent with the purposes of or the proper administration of the Office of Group Benefits.”

Now, Fannin’s bill, if approved by the legislature and signed by Jindal, the governor’s signature being a virtual certainty, would change all that. Jindal’s signature, of course, would be a virtual certainty.

HB-32, already assigned to Fannin’s Appropriations Committee, reads in part:

“After satisfying the requirements of the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the (state) treasurer shall, notwithstanding R.S. 42:854-(C), transfer into the Overcollections Fund provided for in R.S. 39:100.21, the proceeds generated as a result of the sale or other transaction by the Office of Group Benefits which has the effect of transforming its operations.

In general layman’s terms, that means the legal prohibition of using OGB funds for the state’s general budget would be removed, making it legal for much of the OGB surplus to be used by the state to plug its budget hole.

Though the two statutes clearly conflict, under rules of construction, the new statute would take precedent, or overrule the older law, according to Terry Hessick, a retired attorney for the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners.

Hessick wrote a letter to Richard Manship, manager of the Baton Rouge Advocate, taking the newspaper to task for its lack of coverage of the OGB controversy.

The Baton Rouge paper ran a brief story on April 16 on Teague’s firing but nothing about details of the proposed sale until a week later, on April 23.

The text of Hessick’s letter:

Dear Mr. Manship:

As we edge ever closer to the anticipated privatization of the Office of Group Benefits, with its probable huge negative impact on state employees, retirees, and their dependents, I am amazed that the Advocate, as well as our local television news departments, has given little or no exposure to this potential catastrophe. As a subscriber, each morning I look for any articles on the sale of OGB, but the only thing I found recently was the announcement that Tommy Teague had been fired. The stories about this sale have been available on the internet for weeks, but not in the Advocate.

You may not think that the OGB sale is newsworthy or is of little interest, but the sale would affect about 150,000 state employees and retirees, and another 100,000 or so of their dependents, all of whom depend on OGB for their health, medical and prescription coverage. Also, the attempts of the Jindal administration to put the deal together in relative secrecy; the fact that Goldman Sachs wrote the RFP for doing the deal and was the only bidder for the services; the fact that Goldman Sachs stands to make $6 million for doing who knows what; the fact that the half-billion-dollar surplus or reserve which the OGB has accumulated would be divvied up between the state treasury ($150-200 million) and the eventual purchaser ($300 million); the fact that the OGB members and their dependents can only watch while the monies set aside to pay their medical expenses are plundered and carted off by the administration and some private party; the probability that those members will have to make up the missing monies by paying ever-increasing premiums for what can only be reduced services; and, the probability that increased premiums required by a private insurer will, in the near future, place additional burdens on the state treasury and on all Louisiana taxpayers; should induce the Advocate and other credible news sources to at least investigate, ask questions, and demand answers. In other words, send out your reporters to do their jobs, instead of sitting on this story.

To allow you to catch up with this ongoing story, I have attached several articles from the internet, including those published by TPM, louisianavoice.com, winzerinsurance.com, politicslaforums.com, and devtimessw.com. I have also attached a copy of my recent letter to the editor, which the Advocate chose not to publish. I understand that others have written letters to the editor on this subject, including the Louisiana Retired Employees Association, none of which have been published. It seems that the Advocate thinks it is more relevant to publish the endless bickering about the Baton Rouge to New Orleans passenger railway, which is unlikely to be funded or built in our lifetimes, than to publish letters which would bring to the attention of your readers an event which will impact the lives and health of a quarter of a million Louisiana citizens.

I do not know why the Advocate has chosen to ignore the privatization (sale) of OGB unless it fears the wrath of the Bobby and his henchmen or it actually approves of the disservice which this administration is doing the state employees. For many years, the New York Times has had as its motto, “All the news that’s fit to print.” Maybe the Advocate should adopt a similar motto: “All the news that’s SAFE to print.” I am disappointed in the Advocate.

Very truly yours,

Terry F. Hessick
Attorney at Law
Retired State Employee

Posted in Governor's Office, House, Senate, Legislature, Legislators, OGB, Office of Group Benefits, Politics, Teague | 18 Comments »

Education Superintendent Paul Pastorek learns a lesson in humility

April 22, 2011 by tomaswell

State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek recently got a lesson in humility, in timing, and, most important, in how not to B.S. a legislator when testifying in committee hearings.

It all occurred on Thursday, April 7, in an otherwise routine testimony before the House Appropriations Committee and Pastorek came away with proverbial egg all over his lawyerly face.

Near the end of his testimony, committee Chairman Jim Fannin (D-Jonesboro), in an otherwise cordial exchange about Recovery School District (RSD) business, asked, “Are you waiting for a new RSD superintendent to help?”

Pastorek answered in the affirmative.

“When do you expect to have a new superintendent?” Fannin asked.

“I expect to have one this week if I can possibly have one.”

“So, you indicated earlier that you didn’t have one but you expect to have one?”

“That’s correct,” Pastorek said. I’ve got to get State Board (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) approval and I’m working to set that up. In fact, I have it on the agenda for Friday.”

The only problem with Pastorek’s answer was that he had already chosen a replacement for RSD Superintendent Paul Vallas and Fannin knew it.

In fact, Pastorek himself had announced the previous day, April 6, that John White, deputy chancellor of the New York City Department of Education would succeed Vallas.

Moreover, at the very time he was testifying on April 7, Pastorek’s Department of Education public information office was issuing a department press release announcing White’s appointment. The press release even quoted Gov. Bobby Jindal, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, her brother, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Dr. Norman Francis, president of Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, and Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund.

The press release, under the heading, “State and local leaders endorse John White as next RSD Superintendent,” read as follows:

BATON ROUGE, La – Less than 24 hours after State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek announced his pick to lead the state-run Recovery School District (RSD), an impressive list of state and local leaders is lining up to express their support for Pastorek’s selection. In making their endorsements, these officials join U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who yesterday praised the selection of John White. White, who began his career in education as an English teacher in a high-poverty school in New Jersey, is currently serving as Deputy Chancellor of Talent, Labor and Innovation for New York City, the nation’s largest school system.

Governor Bobby Jindal: “It’s a testament to Louisiana’s commitment to bold and innovative education reform that we’re able to attract talented public servants like John White to come to Louisiana and help move our education system forward. John is well qualified and we’re eager to work with him and Superintendent Pastorek to advance the Recovery School District and continue to improve educational opportunities for our children.”

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu: “Citizens and groups across New Orleans are actively engaged in creating a model of education that gives every student the opportunity to attend a world-class school. Nothing is more paramount to achieving that vision than identifying a leader who is genuinely committed and capable of partnering with diverse groups inside and outside the education community to improve our schools and support the academic success of our children. I’m convinced wholeheartedly that John White can and will work with us to succeed in meeting these objectives, not only in New Orleans, but in RSD schools across the state.”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu: “John has an impressive record and comes highly recommended. In New Orleans, we have the opportunity and responsibility to create a 21st century system of schools where every child can attain a world-class education that prepares them for college and work. I look forward to working closely with John as we continue building on our recent progress in New Orleans.”

Dr. Norman Francis, President, Xavier University of Louisiana: “Each step towards the future of education in Louisiana must be bold and aggressive if we are to dramatically improve our children’s lot, and move Louisiana from the bottom of academic achievement ratings. John White’s skills are highly regarded, and he will be a valuable asset in helping move the RSD vision forward. He has my support and the support of the entire Xavier University Community.”

Michael Lomax, President and CEO of United Negro College Fund: “The appointment of John White is good news for New Orleans students, parents, and teachers—indeed for everyone who cares about giving children the top quality education they deserve and that the New Orleans community needs them to have. New Orleans has made great strides in the past few years, but challenging work and difficult choices lie ahead. While each city and each school system is unique, the experience and lessons-learned that John White brings from his role in New York’s transformative school reform program is just the preparation he needs to lead New Orleans’ schools.”

Tomorrow, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) will consider whether to authorize the State Superintendent of Education to appoint the next leader of the RSD.

On Friday, a press conference to formally introduce White will be held at 1 p.m. at Andrew Wilson Charter School in New Orleans.

Fannin allowed Pastorek to dig himself a sufficient hole before springing his trap. “It’s all over the news that one’s been selected and….you look surprised.”

“I’ve been working on selecting one for about eight months,” Pastorek said, less confident now.

“And you sit here today, under oath, telling us that you didn’t know that one was hired and that….”

“I haven’t hired anybody,” Pastorek protested. “I can’t hire anybody until the board approves it on Friday.”

“So you weren’t willing to share that you had made the selection? I think those questions were asked,” Fannin said.

“No, I don’t think that question was asked,” Pastorek said. “What I’ve been trying to do, Mr. Chairman, is, I’ve been trying to report to all my principals what my plan is to do. And I’m trying to get buy-in and support, trying to communicate to my people about that.”

“The way to get buy-in is to come to this committee and be forthcoming, forthright, with information about all you know,” Fannin admonished him. “I’m going to look you pretty straight and I have to tell you I don’t think that’s been (done)…. today.”

Another way to get buy-in is to not issue premature press releases. It’s just tacky.

Posted in Education, Governor's Office, House, Senate, Legislature, Legislators, Transparency | 3 Comments »

Got promised? Weighing the words of candidate Jindal vs. actions of governor Jindal: a study in deliberate deceit

April 22, 2011 by tomaswell

Perhaps this should be filed under “How Soon We Forget,” or maybe it shouldn’t be remembered at all because of the bitter irony it invokes. Either way, we felt a little reminder of campaign promises past might give you an insight into political realities present and future.

Candidate Bobby Jindal had an interesting campaign flyer in the last gubernatorial election that someone found and sent to LouisianaVoice.

It’s all about how touchy-feely he was about state employees. It’s almost enough to give you a warm fuzzy if it weren’t for the foreboding chills it invokes when one considers that his real motivation is not the welfare of state employees or even the citizenry of this state, but the consolidation of his own political power base.

While state employees are being laid off and in some instances, as in the case of Office of Group Benefits CEO Tommy Teague, fired outright, Jindal continues to campaign weekly outside the borders of Louisiana, adding more and more to a campaign war chest already crammed with more than $10 million.

When he campaigns in California, New York, Texas, and elsewhere, the costs of those trips—including flight costs, hotel accommodations, meals, and security detail (state police who accompany him on each and every trip)—are not reimbursed to the state by the Republican Party. They are borne by Louisiana taxpayers. And lest you thought he travels alone, rest assured he takes staff members with him on those jaunts. When George Bush campaigned for a second term and when Barrack Obama campaigns, the costs were—and are—reimbursed by their respective national parties.

All his hopping from fundraiser to fundraiser at out-of-state venues must surely raise the question: just why is someone in California or Wisconsin or Montana so vitally interested in a governor’s race in Louisiana? That’s the question voters must ask themselves when they enter the polling booth next fall.

It’s a good bet that laid-off state employees or employees of agencies that Jindal has privatized or plans to privatize will be asking.

It’s a certainty that employees with serious health issues would like to know why they stand to lose their health benefits after years of loyal service, some of whom even fell for Jindal’s “love of state employees,” pitch and voted for him—not once, but twice—for governor.

Here, then, are the verbatim contents of that long lost (at least he must wish it was lost) flyer that, with any justification, will bite him in the backside next fall:

As a former state employee, I know firsthand how important it is that we protect state employees and state retirees.

I have served the state as Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals and as President of the University of Louisiana System.

My mother has been a state employee for three decades. I know that she and the thousands of people who serve our state at every level dedicate themselves on a daily basis to ensuring that Louisiana is moving forward, and I strongly believe that we must support these workers in their efforts.

As my campaign for Governor continues to intensify, I expect that some people will begin to spread false rumors about the future of state employees under my Administration.

I wanted you to hear it from me that I will be a friend and supporter of both state employees and retirees.

Any statements to the contrary are simply false.

I am committed to bringing more jobs and more economic opportunities to Louisiana, and I want to see state workers and retirees supported for the work they do.

In addition, I have been a vocal supporter in Congress of legislation to protect state employees and retirees from unfair Social Security provisions, specifically, the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which lowers the dependent benefits a state employee with a spouse working in the private sector receives through Social Security, and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which penalizes public school teachers and state workers who have second jobs.

I am a co-sponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would repeal both the GPO and the WEP.

I do not believe we should punish people for working, and certainly do not believe teachers and state workers in Louisiana should be singled out for penalty.

These men and women work incredibly hard to ensure a bright future for our state and our children, and they deserve to receive adequate Social Security benefits.

My mother is a state agency employee and I myself have paid into the State Teachers Retirement System, so I know firsthand how unfair these provisions are to state workers. I fully understand the importance of rectifying this problem so state workers and teachers are not unfairly penalized for their service.

I commit to you that I will continue to fight to protect all Louisiana workers as Governor of Louisiana.

There you have it. The words in that flyer certainly take on a hollow ring today. We have only one word for Gov. Jindal and his promises: pandering. By any definition, it’s pandering in the sorriest sense of the word. Does anyone remember Jindal’s uttering a single word as governor about the GPO or WEP? Didn’t think so.

Has anyone heard a single encouraging word from him to state employees. No? Hmm.

Does any remember another campaign promise to block any attempt by legislators to give themselves a pay increase? Probably not, but he certainly did, in another flyer like the one quoted above. Yet, what did he do when they voted for a 123 percent pay raise back in 2008? He said he would not veto the pay hike. Only when he was swamped with public outcry such that his email literally shut down, did he finally acquiesce and veto the action.

Turn your attention away from the NBA playoffs and LSU and Saints football long enough to do your homework. Weigh what he says against what he does. Consider the contracts handed out to donors to his wife’s foundation. Think about the motive behind his interstate campaign trips. Look below the surface for his real reasons for wanting to privatize so many state agencies and find out who is getting the contracts for those agencies. Most of all, try to put yourself in the place of that state employee who, facing grave health issues, finds himself on the street.

Posted in Civil Service, Education, Governor's Office, House, Senate, Layoffs, Legislature, Legislators, OGB, Office of Group Benefits, Teague, Transparency | 7 Comments »

Paul Pastorek’s rant: leadership or vindictiveness?

April 21, 2011 by tomaswell

The following is by guest columnist Don Whittinghill. Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek’s response to the Coalition for Louisiana Public Education follows.

The Voice of a Leader?

The self-styled White Knight of Louisiana education reform accuses the newly formed Coalition for Louisiana Public Education stakeholders of presenting nothing new except for seeking more money.

Apparently he fails to look into the mirror at his own greedy grasping for money for his favored schools. The Recovery School District has been spending at least 30 percent more per student than the average locally-run school system in Louisiana. Over the past five years RSD students have been funded by a combination of special federal grants, state department of education picking up some major expenses like insurance, free use of buildings built by the Orleans Parish School Board, and the largess of national foundations. While RSD per pupil funding has trended downward from in excess of $20,000 per student per year in the early days, to its current level of more than $13,000, RSD funding is still lavish by comparison.

Pastorek preaches that local education stakeholders’ pleas for equitable funding flies in the face of “a nearly $2 billion budget deficit.” It doesn’t take a CPA to challenge his distorted deficit claim. His boss, Gov. Bobby Jindal doesn’t see the same number. It is not likely that the Louisiana legislature will deal with such a number either. He continues to close his eyes to state revenue collections that are increasing above state estimates; and he pretends the error rate of those state estimates historically underestimate state income by hundreds of millions.

Pastorek habitually tends to over-react and to throw numbers largely unconnected to reality into his pronouncements. He still claims the RSD has made “unprecedented gains in student achievement.” His own web site reveals that the RSD schools remain the lowest performing in the state. His own web site reveals that the few RSD schools that seem to be progressing are really special cases whose core student data statistics are manipulated to make their performance look better than is real. And most of the RSD schools which practice selective enrollment and capped enrollment.

The non-educator Superintendent apparently can’t recognize an educator when he sees one. He claims the burgeoning coalition of public education stakeholders is “made up of staff and board members from these various groups”. Does he really assume that leaders of the superintendents association, the school boards association, the teachers and principals associations, and the parent teachers associations are so bold as to take a coalition public without broadly based support and authorization?

It is, perhaps, not so widely recognized that Paul Pastorek often acts first and then tells his hiring directors at the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. His most recent was a totally undercover recruitment of a new RSD superintendent. BESE members openly expressed disappointment that they had to come to Baton Rouge to find the search completed. No mention was made…even now…about his pay grade. One thing was certain it would likely make his new man the second highest paid staffer among the 45 DOE staff members earning in excess of $100,000 per year. Many of those high pay rates were set by Pastorek before BESE was informed.

The “extraordinary things taking place in K-12 public education” to which Pastorek refers in his news release are most often taking place because of the efforts of people represented in the new coalition. The growing list of national Blue Ribbon schools in Louisiana is largely governed by local school superintendents and school boards. Pastorek brags about the accelerated growth of high-performing/high-poverty schools showing outstanding growth in student achievement. He never acknowledges that none of those schools are RSD operated schools.

With sufficient funding to pay for extended day, extended week, and extended year schedules, Pastorek’s RSD still is incapable of breaking from the bottom of the list of school performance scores. Yet he challenges the 69 local districts right to demand equality of spending for their underperforming schools.

The Superintendent apparently believes that only he, and a small coterie of highly-paid associates, is motivated to “continue doing the right thing for kids.” His vision of the right thing includes bringing in a host of private companies to manage schools and to provide a varied menu of professional services that have one thing in common: They pull money out of the classroom.

The multi-millions in contracts that cause State Treasurer John Kennedy to stump the state, is largely subject to after the fact approval by the whole of BESE. An elite composed of the BESE president, finance chairman, and Pastorek substitute for transparent contract evaluation. But, when one looks at contracts for operation of RSD charter schools one finds that most skim 12.5 percent from all school funds into corporate profits out of state and away from Louisiana classroom use.

Contrived criticism, in Pastorek’s mind, seems to be that which questions his version of “truth.” His claims of progress in the RSD have been clearly challenged by education researchers. Even the Stanford CREDO finding that New Orleans charters did relatively better than charters nationwide was based upon two characteristics that Pastorek does not want discussed: 1. The CREDO results lumped RSD and Orleans Public School Board operated charters together and nine of the OPSB charters are far superior; and 2. The charters in New Orleans are largely selective-enrollment schools that choose students rather than welcome all.

One thing that Pastorek can rationally expect is that the new coalition is sending a message: “You haven’t seen anything yet!”

Don Whittinghill
LSBA Consultant

Here is Pastorek’s diatribe:

STATEMENT FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT
OF EDUCATION PAUL PASTOREK
Reference: Coalition for Louisiana Public Education

“This Coalition — made up of staff and board members from these various groups — professes to speak for teachers, administrators, local school boards and others in its opposition to these reforms. And they only express dissatisfaction and disapproval — and present us with no alternative solutions to improve our schools – except to request more funding. The reality is that Louisiana is facing a nearly $2 billion budget deficit, and while funding to other programs has been reduced by 26 percent over the last three years, funding for the state’s MFP – the state’s largest allocation of education funding – has increased by 6.2 percent, from $3.12 billion in Fiscal Year 2008 to $3.31 billion in Fiscal Year 2011. Clearly some districts are facing difficult circumstances. But this situation emphasizes the need for all of us to analyze how we’re allocating our education dollars and to make necessary adjustments in policies, programs and expenditures to achieve the best outcomes for our students and provide necessary support to educators.

And these statements of defiance around reform are unfortunate for the thousands of educators, hundreds of local leaders, and the many communities across our state who have not only accepted change – but who are actually leading and pushing for reforms that are in the best interest of students.

We have some extraordinary things taking place in K-12 public education across Louisiana, including the work taking place in the Recovery School District. In the past three or four years, we’ve made unprecedented gains in student achievement in the RSD and statewide. But this kind of dramatic improvement is only possible when individuals and groups work smarter and make better decisions in classrooms, school buildings and board rooms. There is no doubt in my mind that’s happening. And we believe those who are making a difference and matter most in the lives of students are motivated to continue doing the right thing for kids – even in the face of this kind of contrived criticism.

Fortunately, for our students, the majority of our educators, policymakers and citizens recognize that despite our state’s remarkable progress, too many of our students are still behind in school. They know we can do better, and they’re serious about this work. They share our determination to move forward with a compelling sense of urgency and to ignore the grumbling of those who are unwilling to be inspired by our undeniable progress and the promise these changes represent for our children.”

Posted in BESE, Education | 4 Comments »

New state coalition to introduce public education improvements agenda Wednesday in Baton Rouge

April 18, 2011 by tomaswell

The steering committee of the new statewide Coalition for Louisiana Public Education (the Coalition) which made its debut recently plans to assemble and introduce member organizations to the public this week in the Baton Rouge area.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, the Coalition members will hold a press conference near the Department of Education. Jack Loup, founder and chair of the Coalition, will facilitate. Loup will open with the Coalition mission and agenda, introduce the organizations which are present for the press conference, and will invite each member organization to speak briefly to the press and public.

For the first time the major professional education organizations in the state have aligned themselves together to address the current challenges to public education.

The steering committee of the Coalition is comprised of leaders of the following state organizations: Louisiana Association of Superintendents (LASS); Louisiana Association of Principals (LAP); Louisiana School Board Association (LSBA); Louisiana Association of School Executives (LASE); Louisiana Association of Child Welfare and Attendance Personnel (LACWAP); Louisiana Association of Chief Technology Officers (LACTO); Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LaCUE); Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE); Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT); Louisiana Association of Retired Teachers (LRTA); National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT); immediate past president of the National School Board Association (NSBA); representatives of Parents Across America and Save Our Schools; and three published researchers with Research on Reforms and the Louisiana Educator, all of whom analyze and evaluate education reform measures. Four other statewide organizations are currently in the process of joining the Coalition.

The Coalition members are focusing their expertise on three main areas related to public education: state funding, state accountability and state micromanagement of local school districts.

Erroneously described in the past as trying to “preserve the status quo,” the coalition organizations have already begun working together with elected officials toward major legislative initiatives with a dual objective — to propel Louisiana toward national pre-eminence in public education, which will subsequently boost Louisiana economically.

Information about the Coalition has been posted on many of the websites of the member organizations. For further information, contact Loup at jackloup@wildblue.net or 985-796-3771.

Posted in Education, Governor's Office | 4 Comments »

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