Senate Concurrent Resolution No. SLS 23RS-102, introduced by Senator Fields, seeks legislative approval for the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formula for the 2023-2024 school year, as developed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. This formula is designed to determine the costs associated with providing a minimum foundation of education across Louisiana's public schools, ensuring equitable funding distribution among various parish and city school systems. The resolution outlines a four-level calculation system that considers student needs, incentivizes local funding contributions, and allocates specific legislative funding for teacher pay raises and operational costs. It emphasizes that MFP funds are strictly for educational purposes, covering a range of operational and instructional activities.

The resolution also introduces Level 4 Supplementary Allocations for additional funding to address specific educational needs, such as support for students with disabilities and apprenticeship programs. It includes provisions for pay raises for both certificated and non-certificated personnel over multiple fiscal years, as well as a Differentiated Compensation Allocation to tackle recruitment and retention challenges in critical shortage areas. The proposed MFP formula is projected to incur an additional cost of $282 million, maintaining a base per pupil funding amount of $4,015, and includes various funding allocations for teacher stipends, support for teacher preparation programs, and adjustments based on student enrollment. The formula is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, with a focus on accountability in fund usage, requiring that at least 70% of general fund expenditures be directed towards instruction and school administration.