| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| April 5, 2000 | Lindsay Sander (651-297-5600) |
Should the state pay school districts with declining enrollment for children who are not there? This is a major issue facing the state of Minnesota and the legislature right now and the answer holds major implications for every school district in the state.
Right now our community cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate our community's needs and growing population. But other school districts around the state, some estimate up to 80 percent, are facing declining enrollments.
Last year the Legislature passed several major education initiatives including a billion dollars in new funding. While the money was allocated to several aspects of educational funding, a large portion of the increase was dedicated to the student funding formula. The legislature acted largely to address two things: additional funding for schools with little requirement on how the funds should be spend, and to address the growing disparities between school systems across the state especially between districts that are growing, like ours, and those who are not.
While the way school funding is calculated is complicated, one should understand it is determined for the most part by the student funding formula and categorical aids. The student funding formula takes the average number of enrolled students over several years multiplied by the amount of the formula, currently $3950. Last year the student funding formula was also changed to reflect what is referred to as the marginal pupil unit.
The marginal pupil unit takes 90 percent of the current enrollment and 10 percent of past years' enrollment and averages them to come up with the enrollment numbers to be used in the student funding formula. In short, The marginal pupil unit basis current and future funding levels on students that used to be there, not current student levels.
This was a unfortunate provision last year because it will short-change districts like ours that are growing in numbers and that are financially accountable-- ultimately making them responsible for other schools with fewer students.
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What is even worse is that Sen. Pogemiller (DFL- Minneapolis) wants to again change the merit pupil unit and base school funding even more on the history of schools' enrollment, not their current situations. Under his proposal, the student funding formula would be based on 77 percent of a school's current enrollment and 23 percent of their past average enrollment.
Adopting Pogemiller's proposal means that our schools would face less funding despite our continual increases in enrollment. That is outrageous! I understand that declining enrollment does pose a problem for many schools, however, they need to take responsibility and budget accordingly. School districts across the state cannot be continually asked to sacrifice their funds in the name of students who do not exist.
Over the last few years our local schools have overcome amazing odds budgeting their resources. Despite our increasing enrollment, they faced less funds from the state and still managed to stay within their budget and provided quality education to their students. I applaud their efforts.
I will continue to fight for what is right and fair. If you have further questions on educational funding or other legislative concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1072 or by e-mail at rep.mark.buesgens@house.leg.state.mn.us.
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