Minnesota House of Representatives
District 12A 651-296-4929 – rep.jay.mcnamar@house.mn
431 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Matt Privratsky – 651-296-6860
April 11, 2013
House DFL Introduces Education Bill That Makes Historic Investment in Minnesota’s Future
Saint Paul, Minnesota – Yesterday the House DFL unveiled their plan to put Minnesota’s kids on the path to the world’s best workforce with a House Education Omnibus Finance bill that calls for historic investment in education. The budget sets the ambitious goal of closing the 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 — all by 2027.
The House DFL Education Budget invests in what works: fully funding all-day, every day kindergarten and investing $50 million in early learning childhood scholarships. All-day K and early childhood education are proven tools to improve test scores, close the achievement gap, and prepare students for future academic success. The House DFL Education Budget also increases the basic funding formula for K-12 schools by four percent over the biennium, an increase of over $315 million, or $209 per pupil. The school shift payback will be included in the House Taxes bill.
“Our communities depend on our schools, and we are making them a priority this session,” said Rep. Jay McNamar (DFL – Elbow Lake). “For too long we’ve seen cuts and borrowing from our schools. This session, we want to support our students and teachers and put Minnesota on track to be one of the strongest in the country when it comes to education. It benefits our communities and our economy to make schools a top priority.”
Under the House DFL Education Budget, the West Central Area School District would receive an increase of $94,454, or $132 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.3 percent) and an increase of over $361,987 or $483 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.8 percent). The Morris Area School District would receive a formula increase of $130,218 or $132 per-pupil (1.5 percent) in fiscal year 2014 and an increase of $406,882, or $414 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.5 percent). The Breckenridge School District would receive an increase of $83,086, or $119 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.3 percent), and an increase of $285,921, or $414 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.5 percent). The Clinton Graceville Beardsley School District would receive an increase of $53,914, or $151 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.4 percent), and an increase of $180,008, or $517 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.7 percent).
The House DFL Education Budget 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, and raises and indexes operating referendum levy equalization factors to reduce property taxes.
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.
The bill was presented in the House Education Finance Committee today, with public testimony on Thursday and a committee vote on Friday. The House Education bill can viewed here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/docs/H0630Delete-all.pdf.
The House Education funding spreadsheet can be viewed here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/docs/HF0630Delete-allspreadsheet.pdf
The increases for each school district in the House Education bill can be viewed here:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/docs/HouseProposalApril92013_1.pdf
Throughout the legislative session, Rep. McNamar encourages all constituents to contact him directly with any questions, comments, or concerns on any legislative issue. Rep. McNamar can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4929 or by email at rep.jay.mcnamar@house.mn .
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