ST. PAUL, MN--Governor Dayton announced on Tuesday a proposal for $137.9 million in one-time Emergency School Aid, which would provide additional, needed state funding for school districts across the state. At least 26 school districts in the metropolitan area including Edina and Hopkins are facing immediate budget deficits that could result in hundreds of teacher and support staff layoffs, along with significant cuts to school programs in the coming year. Governor Dayton’s proposal would increase school funding by 2 percent, which is $126 for every Minnesota student.
The Governor’s school aid plan would deliver approximately $1.6 million for Bloomington Public School District, $1.2 million for Edina Public School District, $1.2 million for Eden Prairie Public School District, $1.5 million for Minnetonka Public School District and $1 million for Hopkins Public School District.
Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-Edina) released the following statement:
“Enacting the Governor’s plan to protect our school funding is the wise thing to do, especially in a time of economic uncertainty. Our students and schools unfairly paid the price as a result of Pawlenty’s deficits and misguided priorities, which took years to pay back. Education has made Minnesota a leader, but we won’t continue to lead by underfunding our schools and cutting opportunities for our kids. Minnesotans deserve better.”
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