The Louisiana School Boards Association voted to oppose state participation in a bid for up to $300 million in federal dollars.
The LSBA said on Monday its 17-member board concluded it would be risky for school districts to take part in the contest.
The nationwide competition is called “Race to the Top,” which is supposed to reward states that show education innovation.
State education leaders say that, if Louisiana is one of the states picked in April, the money would be used to link teacher pay to student performance and fund turnaround efforts in struggling state schools.
The Advocate reports the LSBA said that it is concerned local school districts would have problems financing improvements when federal dollars run out in four years.