Jindal’s Budget $15 Million Short For Student Growth Projections

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget proposal is $15 million short of what the Department of Education expects will be needed to cover growth in student enrollment at public schools next year.

State Superintendent of Education John White outlined Friday the department's recommended $3.5 billion public school financing formula for the 2014-15 school year.

His department and the Jindal administration are recommending the same formula adjustments, with increased funding for technical courses and special education students.

But Jindal's budget is based on a projection of fewer students than the department's current estimates, so White says it's about $15 million less than what the department expects will be needed to cover the increased student count next year.

It's a common problem. Student enrollment projections change frequently.