ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Department of Education recently released detailed school funding information following the 2013 Legislative Session. As a result of the budget passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Dayton, K-12 education received an increase of $485 million, including the funding of all-day kindergarten starting in the fall of 2014. The budget also includes $40 million for early childhood scholarships and accelerates pay back of the school shift.
“After a decade of disinvestment and borrowing, this is great news for our local schools,” said State Representative Mary Sawatzky (DFL – Willmar). “We’re investing in what is proven to work while pursuing reforms to put our children on the path to the world’s best workforce. Building a world-class education system and workforce will lead to a world-class economy.”
Willmar Public School District will receive a formula increase of $707,186 or $172 per-pupil (1.7 percent) in fiscal year 2014 and an increase of $2.4 million, or $588 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (5.8 percent). The New London-Spicer School District will receive an increase of $141,870 or $101 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.2 percent) and an increase of $640,811 or $463 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (5.4 percent). The Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District will receive an increase of $85,366 or $115 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.1 percent), and an increase of $419,482 or $507 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (5.1 percent).
The budget also contains new strategies to close the revenue equity gap and reduce property taxes. The budget enhances the equity formula guaranteeing all districts at least $300 per student of equity and referendum revenue, includes a new Student Achievement Levy and raises and indexes operating referendum levy equalization factors to reduce property taxes.
Along with funding increases, the budget implements 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.
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.