Board Accepts $6.1 Million

The Central Community School Board has voted unanimously to accept $6.1 million in federal funds under the so-called ESSER program (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund).

In order to receive the funds, a local school board must show the efforts if any it is making toward “universal masking.”  The Central School Board points out that ESSER does not require masking. Nevertheless, the Central school system reported to the State Department of Education that it is requiring masks, because of the Governor’s “mandate.”  Students in Central Community schools are required to mask at all times while indoors.

The question is, if the danger of the pandemic is so great, why are students allowed to congregate closely at Wildcat Stadium and everywhere else outside?

The sums to be sent to Central by the federal government are remarkable.  Supt. Jason Fountain describes them as “staggering” and “unprecedented.”  

A total of $6.1 million will be coming.  These are dollars paid by the taxpayers of Central and sent to Washington.  A small portion is sent back to Central but with “instructions.”

This past week, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to end letter grades being used to evaluate public schools throughout the state.  But BESE could not officially do so until approval was granted by the federal government.  Why?  Because the Louisiana Department of Education has accepted federal funds that require it to get approval from the U.S. Department of Education in order to end letter grades of schools!

Federal money always comes with strings attached.  In addition, when federal money is spent at the local level, local school boards pressure Congress to keep it coming year after year.  If the federal grants ever do end, the pressure is on the local school board to continue the spending and pay for it with new taxes levied at the local level.

Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill spoke on this problem Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker.  She said federal control begins with accepting federal funds.  Schools become dependent on those funds and end up complying with federal edicts in order to keep the money coming.