By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law last week a bill commonly referred to as the “Red Tape Reduction Act.” The new law gives the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education the right to exempt certain schools or entire school districts from laws regulating elements of public education.

According to the bill’s author, Rep. Jane Smith, “I was honored to author this piece of legislation to give our schools the ability to operate with greater autonomy as they strive to increase student achievement. … I am confident that our schools and our students will greatly benefit from this new, creative program.”

Proponents of the bill said it would give schools greater freedom to address the needs of students without constantly having to jump through legal hoops.

Despite what proponents have said about the intentions of the legislation, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers filed suit last week, claiming the new law is unconstitutional.

Locally, St. John Association of Educators President Carolyn Batiste said, “We are totally against it.”

She said the local teachers’ union agrees with the federation’s claims. She also said she thought the new law could not only impact teachers negatively but students as well.

“The students are, contrary to what they might say, our main interest as well,” said Batiste.