The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is nurturing a more collaborative working relationship with state lawmakers and stakeholders.

BESE has 11 members — eight are elected and three are appointed by the governor. Only three of the board’s current members are returning ones. The fresh makeup of the board is a chance for a clean slate.

BESE member Preston Castille of District 8, BESE Vice President Lance Harris of District 5 and Simone Champagne, a member-at-large, spoke with the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana last week about BESE’s plans moving forward.

Castille, who is one of the three veteran members, said while the previous board was both talented and bright, the current board has been “different in a good way.” BESE now has four members who were former legislators. He believes the enhanced “level of communication and understanding” of the lawmaking side of the coin will be a “huge benefit.”

The relationship between BESE and legislators is being reshaped, Champagne said. She saidn now that BESE has a better working relationship with lawmakers, there is an opportunity for them to continue the previous work done to move education forward.

One of the new members of BESE with legislative experience is Harris. He served three terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives. During his third term he served as chairman of the House of Education Committee.

He said he is “extremely excited” by what he has seen so far, and the overall enthusiasm between BESE, lawmakers and district leaders to work together towards a common goal is refreshing.

“I think the communication we have been able to foster with the different groups has been very helpful and will continue to be.”

The new channels of communication will be especially vital when it comes to finances. He explained that next year the state will be facing a financial deficit, so efficient communication will be more important than ever.

Harris said one of his priorities is bringing Louisiana teachers permanent pay raises, having supported raises in previous Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formulas.

Castille echoed this by saying that despite teachers being the most important aspect of a good education system, there is an “outpouring, outmigration” of teachers leaving both Louisiana and the profession because they are not making a livable wage.

“I understand we all want to be as conservative as we possibly can in protecting our budget for the long term, but if we’re going to invest in education and truly mean it, I think we’ve got to start prioritizing our teachers.”

Gov. Jeff Landry’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year includes a $198 million allotment for stipends for teachers and support staff in lieu of permanent salary increases. Champagne — one of the BESE members appointed by Landry — said she supports the stipends. She said it is “crucial and financially prudent” to evaluate the MFP before instituting permanent raises.

“We need to make sure that our funding mechanism is sustainable so that we can educate our children and adopt good policies.”

One of her priorities is to “scrub” the MFP to ensure efficiency.

“Start at the bottom and make our way all the way to the top, from level one to level four, and look at what’s working and what’s not working.”

BESE is the legislative arm of the state’s education system. It oversees public education in Louisiana and sets educational policies and standards for State school systems, including guidelines for budget, policy, and curriculum.