Ouachita School Board Suspends Sabbaticals

MONROE, La. (AP) — The Ouachita Parish School Board has voted to suspend all sabbatical leaves except for catastrophic medical leave for the upcoming school year.

The News-Star reports board members voted unanimously Thursday to suspend the leave as a way to cut costs for the 2012-13 school year.

To suspend sabbaticals, the district must meet three specific criteria, among them legislative approval of the minimum foundation program without a growth factor.

If the Legislature approves the MFP, which funds the district on a per student basis, as it is written, the requirements will be met and the suspension of sabbaticals will be in effect.

Suspending leave will save the district about $1 million.