BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state's education board has approved a $3.5 billion spending plan for public schools that has drawn strong opposition from special education interests.
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education members voted 8-3 Thursday for the plan - known as the Minimum Foundation Program. Since all 11 panel members voted during BESE's Administration and Finance Committee meeting, the tally was tantamount to action by the full board.
On Friday, The Advocate (http://bit.ly/Y0OsLv ) reported the full board formally approved the proposal on the same vote.
The funding plan would freeze state aid per student for the fifth consecutive year and includes money for a voucher program under a court challenge.
The request heads next to the Legislature, which can approve or reject the plan but cannot change it.
Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com
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