Central Says No To Participation In Jindal’s Plan

CENTRAL — Gov. Bobby Jindal succeeded in getting the Louisiana Legislature to adopt his Education Reform Bills, but one part of the plan is unlikely to find much support in the Central Community School System.

Central schools Supt. Mike Faulk said Wednesday he will recommend that Central not participate in the state’s new “Louisiana Student Scholarship Voucher” Plan when the school board meets Monday night.

Likewise, school board president Dr. Jim Gardner said he knows of no support from board members for participating in the voucher plan.

Under Jindal’s program, if Central chose to participate, the state Recovery School District would send a number of students for Central to enroll.  The school system would have no say over which students to accept or reject.

In addition, the school system would lose about $1,900 per student.

Supt. Faulk said, “Changing the rules for our citizens would not be fair to them.  They wanted their own school system, and they have their hands full taking care of the children who reside in Central.

“We’re still growing here in Central and have all we can do to keep up with the needs of people here,” Faulk said.

The Zachary Community School System at first announced that it would accept some students under the Voucher Plan, but yesterday announced that it had reconsidered and will not participate.