Special session deal the best we could get, LFT says

 (February 23, 2017) A legislative compromise that plugs the state’s $304 million budget hole with a combination of spending cuts and use of Rainy Day Fund money is the best deal that lawmakers could reach with Gov. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter said today.

“The governor was able to keep his promise not to cut public education funds,” Carter said. “Faced with a range of bad choices and few good ones, this is the best deal that we could get.”

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Flawed study cites only tenure, ignores other reasons for teacher exodus

 (February 22, 2017) A new study that cites Louisiana’s strict teacher tenure law as the reason for an uptick in teacher retirements and resignations downplays other reasons why educators may have become disenchanted with the profession, according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter.

“The 2012 law that gutted teacher tenure rights is certainly a factor in these decisions,” Carter said, “but the study ignored numerous other issues that have made teaching less attractive in recent years.”

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BESE Report January 2017

Governor announces MFP freeze for 2017-18

UPDATE: At a January 27 meeting of the legislature’s Joint Committee on the Budget, Gov. John Bel Edwards pledged that there will be no cuts to this year's Minimum Foundation Program, family services or department of corrections in a special session slated to run from February 13-23.

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LFT mourns passing of Elsie Burkhalter

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers mourns the passing of Elsie Burkhalter, who founded the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees and served as Vice President of both the LFT and the American Federation of Teachers.

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Tammany educators approve new contract

(Covington – October 20, 2016) Nearly 200 teachers and school employees met Tuesday night to unanimously approve a new contract between the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees and the parish school board.

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LFT leader takes columnist to school

Responding to a column in The Advocate, LFT Interim President Larry Carter made it clear that the Federation supports the idea of a year-long residency for new teachers, but has concerns about the plan approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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