On Tuesday, September 2nd, our communities kick off a new school year. I wish the very best for each and every student, parent and teacher.
Minnesota is well known as a state that values our children’s education. Investing in our students is the best investment we can make. It’s a shining example of how we can advance the common good when we work together as a community and as a state. Over the past two years, the Minnesota legislature strengthened our historical commitment to academic excellence all the way from early childhood to K-12 to college. I want to underscore a few of the positive changes taking effect this year and outline how we can build on our progress in the years ahead.
For the first time in Minnesota history, state lawmakers appropriated funding to provide all-day Kindergarten for every child. Some school districts, including Northfield Public Schools, previously charged parents several thousand dollars per year to provide a full-day program. The legislature scrapped that system and used new revenue largely from closing corporate tax loopholes and increasing income taxes on the wealthiest two percent to help schools cover the costs. The result is significant savings for moms and dads that could go towards their child’s college fund, groceries for lunches throughout the year or school supplies.
Speaking of school supplies, save your receipts after making a purchase. Minnesota offers two programs to help parents pay for these expenses. The K-12 Education Subtraction and the K-12 Education Credit can lower the tax you pay or increase your refund when filing your Minnesota income tax return. For more information, please contact me by email at rep.david.bly@house.mn or by phone at (651) 296-0171.
In addition to covering the costs of all-day Kindergarten for every child, additional changes taking effect this year include significant funding increases for every K-12 public school district, new funding to ensure low-income students are never denied a hot lunch, the second year of a tuition freeze for students attending public colleges and universities and more financial aid for all college students, including those attending St. Olaf and Carleton College here in Northfield.
We can build on that progress in the years ahead by reducing the alarming amount of debt shouldered by college graduates and providing every 3 and 4 year old with high quality early education.
Last year I was appointed to the P-20 Commission, which is a group organized to advise the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) on Pre-K through college policy initiatives. As a member of that group, I am working with educators, staff at various institutions and MDE as well as MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone to “organize and implement a framework of foundational skills and career pathways.”
I bring not only my legislative policy hat to the discussion but also my 30 years as a teacher and experience working with students with diverse needs who rarely fit in the norm. This opportunity gives me a chance to shape the way we think about what skills and experiences students of all kinds need to achieve success and find their career path.
It is a great opportunity I don’t take lightly to serve my community and the students of our state. Thanks again for the opportunity to serve.