LPPS Budget/Goals Committee Meeting 8/3/26

The LPPS Budget/Goals Committee met on August 3, 2026, to discuss financial strategies related to employee stipends mandated by Governor Landry's executive order 26-047. The committee reviewed the impact of the state's reduction in Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funding, which created a $6.4 million budget shortfall. Despite this, the committee recommended providing one-time stipends of $2,000 for certificated staff and $1,000 for support staff to all employees, not just those specified in the executive order, at a total cost of $7.7 million. To fund this, they proposed a braided funding approach combining general fund and district funds to avoid depleting reserves. The committee voted to allocate $5 million from district funds toward this effort, with the general fund covering the remainder. Additionally, the committee approved passing the School Cash Online convenience fees, which have increased to about $300,000 annually, back to consumers (parents), allowing them to avoid charging the general fund for these fees. This decision includes clear communication plans to parents about the fees and maintains alternative payment options such as cash or check.