The budget that was passed in the House last week, cut $24 million from early childhood education and reduced teacher pay stipends from $2,000 to $1,700. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin said it sends a bad message and it’s discouraging…
“And I think it hurts the message that we’re trying to send out there to teachers and really to others that we really value education and it’s a priority that we’re going to put our money in these places where we know it will make a difference,” said Erwin.
Erwin said lawmakers are aware of the ongoing teacher shortage and cutting their pay will most likely make things worse.
“Last year teachers thought they were going to get a pay raise they got a one-time stipend instead with a promise that it was going to be made into a permanent pay raise. It becomes a stipend again and now even that gets cut,” said Erwin.
Erwin said a solid early childhood education reduces one’s likelihood of a life of crime and after a session dedicated to crime reforms, but yet they reduced funding for such a vital program sends a mixed message.
“And to cut the limited funding that we already have for early childhood education and put that on the chopping block and put more kids and families on the waiting list, I think moves us really in the wrong direction,” said Erwin.
Erwin said he’s hopeful the Senate will restore the cuts in these critical areas.
