ST. PAUL, Minn. – This week, Gov. Mark Dayton announced plans for $137.9 million in one-time Emergency School Aid for school districts across Minnesota. Currently, more than 26 school districts in the metro 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 programming cuts. The proposal would increase school funding by two percent in the coming year, amounting to an additional $126 for every student in Minnesota.
For the Duluth Public Schools, the new funding would amount to an additional $1.3 million.
Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) issued the following statement:
“All kids deserve the prospect of a bright future, and a quality education plays a big role in this. I applaud Gov. Dayton for recognizing the funding predicament schools are facing, and the need to protect them from devastating cuts. As legislators, we have a responsibility to deliver schools the resources they need to provide a world-class education. To be sure, we have more work in front of us, but this proposal will help ensure all kids can continue to get a great education.”
Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth) issued the following statement:
“Here in Minnesota, we value public education and the benefits it brings to our state. Our students don’t deserve overcrowded classes and diminished quality that would result if we fail to adequately fund our public schools. Instead of giving more tax cuts to corporations as Republicans are doing, we should be spending money on public education—it is a sound investment for our state and our future.”