Dear Neighbor,
Welcome back to school, students and staff. A number of changes have taken place since school let out last spring, including the start of a new fiscal year and an increase in K-12 funding.
The Legislature earlier this year led to enactment a new state budget which includes a $1.35 billion increase to the K-12 budget. This increase provides 2 percent more to the per-pupil formula each of the next two years as requested by school districts. New Prague is set to receive approximately $1.7 million in new funding the next two years, while Belle Plaine ($670,078), Cleveland ($240,658), and Le Sueur-Henderson ($435,253) are other examples of funding increases for area schools.
Our state also is investing in proven early education programming such as pre-K scholarships and school readiness.
While monetary commitments are essential to supporting education – and this biennium’s funding increase will be very beneficial – the new money will not solve every district’s issues. That underscores how crucial it is for our schools to have latitude in maximizing the effectiveness of the tax dollars they receive. That is why reform continues to be a subject at the Capitol, from process-centered improvements we made this year to ongoing proposals for state mandate relief.
One of the most important reform measures that became law this year overhauls what has been an ineffective, cumbersome teacher licensure model that actually has in some ways become impediment to strong teaching candidates. A report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor issued last year indicated that our state’s teacher licensure system was in need of significant changes and the Legislature responded accordingly.
The new tiered structure is geared toward streamlining the licensing process while also providing greater transparency. It follows recommendations issued by the OLA and aims to eliminate barriers which have prevented qualified, motivated candidates from achieving careers in education. The new approach also could help school districts to staff hard-to-fill vacancies, mitigating the shortage of teachers our state faces.
It is important to note teacher standards will remain high, with a new Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board working to ensure proper implementation and guideline adherence.
Other changes this year include ending the “Last In, First Out” default layoff policy for schools to keep the best teachers in the classroom. This is another measure geared toward providing local districts with the flexibility to implement the best staff available.
I am pleased the Legislature made progress this year by making better and smarter investments for our children and schools and advancing policies that improve student learning and keep the best teachers in the classroom.
I look forward to continuing this work and welcome input as we prepare for the Legislature to convene in 2018. Best of luck in the new school year.
Sincerely,
Bob