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State Representative Pat Garofalo
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1069
For more information contact: Jodi Boyne 651-296-0640
NEWS RELEASE
STATE REP. GAROFALO VOTEs ‘YES’ TO $12.5 BILLION HOUSE K-12 EDUCATION BILL
ST. PAUL – State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R- Farmington) joined a majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Wednesday in passing a $12.5 billion K-12 education bill that increases state aid to Minnesota schools by $622 million for the 2006-07 period.
“I’m pleased that more of the new funding is targeted to the per pupil aid formula,” Garafalo said. “That means new money will go to more schools throughout the state, including those here in Dakota County.”
Basic per pupil aid will would increase by $139 per pupil in 2006 and $141 per pupil in 2007, some of largest increases to the per pupil aid formula in more than a decade. The legislation means increased aid for area schools. Including existing levies, the Lakeville school district would receive $638 more per pupil over the two-year period; Farmington, $628; Rosemount/Apple Valley, $630; Randolph, $624; and Cannon Falls, $620. Other significant funding initiatives in the bill include $21 million more for early childhood programs and $29 million for gifted and talented programs.
The House bill also includes reforms that enhance accountability between schools, parents and students. One reform requires that 65 percent of all operating expenses be spent in the classroom. And school districts will be encouraged to adopt programs teaching character education. The bill also embraces Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s “QComp” plan, providing school districts up to $260 per student in additional aid if they choose to adopt an alternative teacher pay option. QComp rewards teachers for their professional development and growth by linking a teacher’s salary to student achievement and rigorous teacher evaluation and review.
“Many of the reforms in the bill seek improved accountability for how funds are spent, and how student achievement is measured,” Garofalo said. “It’s a very progressive K-12 bill.”
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