ST. PAUL, Minn – Gov. Mark Dayton today announced a proposal for $124 million in one-time Emergency School Aid, which would provide additional, needed state funding for school districts across the state. Right now, more than 26 school districts in the metropolitan area and 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota are facing immediate budget deficits that could result in hundreds of teachers and support staff being laid off, along with significant cuts to school programs, in the coming year. Governor Dayton’s proposal would increase school funding by 2 percent in the coming year, amounting to an additional $126 for every student in Minnesota.
“From 2003 to 2012, our state's public school aid decreased, in real dollars, by almost $2,000 per student,” said Governor Dayton. “Since then, we have reversed that trend, increasing per-pupil aid by more than $1,000 in real dollars and investing $2 billion overall in E-12 education.
“Still, many school districts throughout our state are now reporting that they face severe financial shortfalls, which will force the layoffs of hundreds of teachers and support staff in the next school year. This Emergency School Aid is essential to ensure that our schools can continue to provide the high quality educations their students need and deserve. I urge Legislators to join me in addressing the urgent needs of our students and teachers.”
“As a teacher, I want to thank the Governor for being such a champion for our students throughout his time in office, and for recognizing the urgency of this situation. He’s put forth a bold investment that will keep more teachers in our classrooms, keep class sizes down, and give more kids the chance to succeed,” said state Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL – Hibbing), who joined Gov. Dayton at the news conference announcing the plan for emergency aid. “When investment in our classrooms doesn’t keep up, this means real consequences for our kids. Being forced to do more with less is no longer doable for our educators.”
Rep. Sandstede highlighted the Chisholm School District, facing a $1 million deficit, and the harm this would have on students due to faculty and staff layoffs. She noted Gov. Dayton’s proposal would mean one less teacher and one less paraprofessional would need to be laid off.
“By no means is this a perfect solution, but it means more kids will get the instruction and support they deserve,” Rep. Sandstede said.
Based on voluntary survey data collected by the Association of Metro School Districts and the Minnesota Rural Education Association, at least 59 Minnesota school districts are facing budget deficits in the coming year. According to the Association of Metro School Districts, 26 school districts in the metropolitan area are facing deficits that could lead to hundreds of teacher layoffs. According to the Minnesota Rural Education Association, at least 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota will be eliminating staff due to budget deficits, including a total of 85 teachers and 75 non-licensed staff across these 33 districts.
Across Minnesota, state aid has not kept pace with the rising cost of ensuring excellent educations for every Minnesota student. A recent study from the North Star Policy Institute demonstrates how real funding for each Minnesota student dropped by $2,000 from 2003 to 2012. Recent investments championed by Governor Dayton have increased funding by more than $1,000 per student, but that still leaves Minnesota schools forced to do more with roughly $1,000 less, per student, than they had 15 years ago.
To see how local school districts across Minnesota would benefit from the Emergency School Aid proposal, CLICK HERE.