St. Paul, Minn. – Gov. Mark Dayton today called on the Minnesota Legislature to protect preKindergarten programs from being eliminated for 4,000 students at more than 59 school districts and charter schools across the state. These schools stand to lose state funding unless the Legislature takes action to protect preKindergarten investments for Minnesota’s four-year-olds. After next school year, 85 children in the St. Louis County School District would lose access to preK if this funding isn’t continued.
Gov. Dayton’s supplemental budget proposal would secure permanent preK funding for these school districts and charters, which were only provided temporary funding by the Legislature last session.
Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL – Virginia) released the following statement:
“In Minnesota, we’ve long been proud of delivering a world-class education to our kids. The progress we’ve made to expand quality preK over the last several years is a huge part of that. Creating these opportunities gets our children off on the right foot toward a life of learning, giving them necessary skills to go with a solid foundation of academic support. Expanded preK can also remove pressure on families who can’t find affordable childcare.
“I’ve seen the success of preK at schools like Parkview Elementary in Virginia. Considering these results, it’s unacceptable that there’s a potential that opportunities like these throughout the state could disappear. I look forward to partnering with Gov. Dayton to push for these critical investments to continue so we can keep improving outcomes for our youngest learners.”
Rep. Metsa encourages constituents to write or call with feedback, questions, or ideas about any legislative topic. He can be reached by phone at the Capitol at 651-296-0170 or by email at rep.jason.metsa@house.mn. To receive periodic updates from the Legislature, constituents are encouraged to sign up for his email list. A link to subscribe is available on his House webpage at www.house.mn/6a.