(The Center Square) — The Louisiana Department of Education received approval this week for recipients of the Education Excellence Fund to spend a total of $23.4 million for the fiscal year 2024-2025.
According to the Department of Education, a total of $72.7 million was available in the Education Excellence Fund at the beginning of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. $11.6 million were new funds, $26 million were carried over from prior year funds, $41,000 were reallocated from closed schools receiving funds, $27.7 million were investment funds, and $7.4 million were cash on hand funds able to be spent.
The $23.4 million requested for approval is being used by school districts that have money left over in their fiscal year Education Excellence Fund balances. The money requested includes $15.7 million for instruction programs, $3.6 million for early childhood programs, and $4.3 million for approved educational programs.
The Department of Education approved the plans and now seeks approval from the Senate Committee on Education.
A report presented to the Senate thoroughly examined the money available to each parish/ organization and what they have left to spend from their Education Excellence Fund for 2024-2025. Bossier Parish and Caddo Parish balances were zeroed out.
For the 2024-2025 year, Caddo Parish reportedly had $1.49 million in their available funds with $77,344 cash on hand from previous years. The parish spent $1.36 million on early childhood programs.
After spending the money, Caddo had $209,884 in unbudgeted funds that carry over to the next fiscal year’s fund. Bossier Parish had $413,129 with $33,051 cash on hand from previous years. The parish spent $137,625 on instruction programs and $308,555 on approved educational programs. The parish did not have any unbudgeted funds.
Parishes seeking to use funds included Allen, East Carroll, Madison, Sabine parishes, and others.
The Senate approved the department’s request. A representative noted the department will now move forward and release the approved funds.
Another business discussed was Louisiana’s standing on the Nation’s Report Card, which is given every two years. The data measures 4th-grade and 8th-grade reading and math levels. Overall, in the past 10 years, Louisiana has moved up in these areas, with 4th-grade reading taking a big jump from 2022 to 2024.
Louisiana 4th graders are first in the country for reading growth for a second consecutive cycle. Louisiana is also in the top five for 4th graders’ growth in math.
