ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a comprehensive K-12 Education Finance and Policy omnibus bill last night by a vote of 83-50.
The bill is designed to create the world’s best workforce by closing Minnesota’s achievement gap, reaching a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation.
In order to meet those goals, the bill fully funds all-day, every day kindergarten, invests in early learning childhood scholarships, and increases the basic funding formula for K-12 schools by over $315 million.
“This bill creates a brighter future for every student in Minnesota,” said Rep. David Bly (DFL—Northfield). “Over the past decade, it’s become clear that we can’t cut our way to academic excellence or higher achievement. I’m pleased our plan puts more resources in Minnesota’s classrooms so our kids can receive a high-quality education. It’s going to make a positive difference in countless lives.”
Under the bill, school districts in the area are set to receive sorely-needed funding increases in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015. The increases are as follows:
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$119 per pupil in FY14 (1.2%) and $411 per pupil in FY15 (4.0%) for Northfield Public Schools.
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$117 per pupil in FY14 (1.4%) and $408 per pupil in FY15 (4.7%) for New Prague Area Public Schools.
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$52 per pupil in FY14 (0.6%) and $439 per pupil in FY15 (5.4%) for Tri-City United Public Schools, which includes Montgomery, Lonsdale and Le Center.
In addition to putting more resources in Minnesota classrooms and expanding proven tools like all-day Kindergarten that improve academic achievement, the bill includes a provision authored by Rep. Bly that establishes alternative routes to a standard diploma for students who are at-risk of not graduating and off-track to graduate.
Under this plan, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education will work with a group of experts to identify and report measures that demonstrate the success of school districts, charter schools, and alternative program providers in improving the graduation outcomes of these at-risk students.
“Our education bill recognizes that some students learn differently from others and that we need to assess them in ways that create opportunities, not barriers,” said Rep. Bly. “I’m really proud to have been a part of that process. Having worked for many years with alternative school students, I can say with confidence that this bill takes serious steps to create pathways for every single student to graduate.”
The House DFL education bill also contains a new strategy to close the revenue equity gap and reduce property taxes. The bill enhances the equity formula guaranteeing all districts at least $300 per student of equity and referendum revenue. It also raises and indexes operating referendum levy equalization factors to reduce property taxes.
The new investments in this education bill mark a sharp difference from the education bills of the past decade. Minnesota has been trapped in a cycle of deficits. And each time, schools, our kids, and our students paid the price. As a result, a number of Minnesota school districts have moved to 4-day school weeks. The state has slipped from the top 10 in funding to 22nd. Perhaps most alarming, Minnesota is now ranked 47th in the country in terms of classroom sizes.
“The bill we passed last night keeps Minnesota economically competitive over the long run,” added Rep. Bly. “In order to attract more businesses to set up shop in our state, we need a well-educated workforce. This bill gets the job done.”
As part of building the world’s best workforce, the House DFL Education Budget would implement several necessary reforms. Schools will be required to develop strategic plans for student achievement and update the public on their status each year. The state will utilize the Minnesota Department of Education’s Regional Centers of Excellence to provide assistance and work with schools to reach their goals.
A new student assessment system will be implemented that ensures students stay on the path to being career and college ready, and innovation grants that promote new ways to increase student achievement will be available to schools.
“Minnesotans will remember 2013 as a session when we made education a priority again -- not only in restoring funding but in passing important policies that create opportunities for all students,” said Rep. Bly. “We’re making historic investments in our kids so Minnesota can reclaim its status as a national leader in educational excellence.”
Rep. Bly encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions about the House K-12 education bill. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-0171, by email at rep.david.bly@house.mn, or by postal mail at 559 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.