News

(Baton Rouge – November 11, 2010) A decision by the Jindal administration to redirect $147 million in federal education funds is the latest outrageous example of failure to make reasonable, responsible choices on behalf of the people of the state, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

Financial crisis could wipe out gains made over the years, says LFT president

(Baton Rouge – October 30, 2010) A recent announcement that average teacher salaries in Louisiana have risen by 85% over the past 15 years may be a tribute to the accomplishments of the past, but says little about the challenges of the future, according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan.

(Baton Rouge – October 25) Overruling most of the state’s objections to a Louisiana Federation of Teachers lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the so-called Red Tape Reduction Act, a 19th Judicial District judge ruled today that the lawsuit may proceed in court.

(Baton Rouge – October 20, 2010) As the state’s top school board begins grappling with the prospect of even more cuts to public education, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan urged board members “to see that the crisis we are in is real” and to embrace choices that strengthen communities and schools.

(Baton Rouge – October 18, 2010) Unless Governor Bobby Jindal and the legislature can agree on some new funding sources, “the dismantling of education will be the coffin that we bury Louisiana in for decades to come,” Senator Ben Nevers (D-Bogalusa) told the Press Club of Baton Rouge today.

Last week’s bombshell announcement that the state ended the previous year with a $108 million deficit is about to bring more pain to suffering state agencies. This time, the victim list could include public education’s Minimum Foundation Program

Could the Education Jobs fund help fill the budget hole?

LFT Executive Vice President Joe Potts has won the election for the District 1 seat of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) Board of Trustees. Potts garnered 74.53% of the votes cast. The vote count was 960-328.

A state committee charged with monitoring the field testing of a new teacher evaluation program held its first meeting today, September 24, and appointed former Senator Randy Ewing or Ruston as chairperson. Vice Chair is Teacher of the Year Julia Williams, from Lafayette High School.

In an effort to overturn a decision against a recruiting company charged with victimizing Filipino teachers hired to work in Louisiana schools, attorney Murphy J. Foster went on the offensive Monday against the unions representing the foreign teachers.