Teachers union sues state for $200 million; second $65 million suit possible

The Louisiana Association of Educators and several local teachers associations have filed a class-action suit charging that the state owes local school boards $199 million as a result of the Louisiana Supreme Court decision striking down part of the state's voucher law. The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board joined as the lead plaintiff in the suit, which was filed Friday in the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge.

In addition, the Louisiana School Boards Association is considering filing suit for about $65 million, association Director Scott Richard said.

The union's lawsuit draws on the part of the high court's decision that invalidated the 2012-13 Minimum Foundation Program formula, which determines how much money per student that the state pays to local school systems. The court ruled that MFP funding must go to public schools, whereas the 2012-13 formula directed some money to private schools via Louisiana's voucher program.

Two weeks after the court's ruling, the Legislature rejected the proposed 2013-14 funding formula due to unpopular changes in special education calculations. So the state reverted to the most recent valid formula -- in this case, lawmakers determined, the 2011-12 version.

More at http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2013/07/teachers_union_sues_state_for.html#incart_river_default .