Saint Paul, Minnesota – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill tonight on a bipartisan vote of 83 to 50. State Representative Mary Sawatzky (DFL – Willmar) voted in favor of the legislation. The bill sets the ambitious goal of closing the achievement gap, reaching the nation’s highest high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation — all by 2027.
The Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill fully funds 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.
In addition to increased funding for kindergarten and early childhood, the bill 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.
“We all know that a world-class education system is the foundation of a world-class economy,” said Rep. Sawatzky. “After years of flat funding and irresponsible shifts, we’re investing in our future and setting the goal of building the world’s best workforce. We’re investing in proven strategies and for the first time in our state’s history, we are fully funding all-day kindergarten. This bill is how we get to a brighter future for our students and our state.”
Under this bill, Willmar Public School District would receive a formula increase of $731,328 or $178 per-pupil (1.8 percent) in fiscal year 2014 and an increase of $2.2 million, or $527 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (5.2 percent).
The New London-Spicer School District would receive an increase of $152,444 or $109 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.2 percent) and an increase of $619,922 or $448 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (5.2 percent). The Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District would receive an increase of $89,923 or $121 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.2 percent), and an increase of $373,243 or $451 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.5 percent).
The Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy 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, and 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, many 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.
As part of building the world’s best workforce, the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill 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 future of our state depends on the students sitting in classrooms today and those about the walk into the classroom for the first time,” said Rep. Sawatzky. “No matter where you live, or what your income is, every Minnesota child deserves a high-quality education so they have every opportunity to succeed in our competitive global economy.”
Tomorrow, the House will take up the House Tax Bill, which includes the final piece of the House DFL education plan. The tax bill will include a provision to pay back the $850 million owed to Minnesota schools with a temporary surcharge on the wealthiest 0.5% of Minnesotans (joint filers earning more than $500,000 per year). In 2011, the previous legislature borrowed record amounts from Minnesota schools.
Rep. Sawatzky encourages constituents to contact her with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Sawatzky can be reached by phone at 651-296-6206 or by email at rep.mary.sawatzky@house.mn. Constituents can also visit Rep. Sawatzky’s AreaVoices blog, legislative page and sign up for email updates.