Education finance bill is long on policy but short on funding

With a budget target of zero, House lawmakers have still come up with a proposal to provide additional funding for teacher workforce development, broadband expansion, early learning and a variety of other education programs.

The $55 million omnibus education finance bill, HF3858, sponsored by Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie), balances its appropriations primarily by leveraging more than $52 million in anticipated savings from the bill’s proposal to allow school districts to repay their capital loans early.

The House Education Finance Committee walked through Loon’s delete-all amendment to the bill Tuesday. The committee is scheduled to hear public testimony Wednesday and act on the bill Thursday, Loon said.

The bill seeks “middle ground” between House priorities and the governor’s supplemental budget requests, Loon said. While the bill notably omits the governor’s high-priority $25 million request for voluntary prekindergarten programs, it includes the following requests:

• $2.75 million to implement the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program in districts to promote “positive school culture";
• $500,000 of $2 million in additional funding requested for full-service community schools, which would incorporate multiple support services for children and families; and
• $120,000 to cover GED test fees for eligible adults.

Broadband tops onetime appropriations

Broadband expansion grants totaling $7 million is the largest line item in the proposal, which would also fund myriad proposals heard by the committee this session. Additional funding that would be appropriated under the bill includes:

• $5 million for school-linked mental health grants;
• $4.5 million for a “future teachers” grant program for students intending to teach in high-need areas;
• $2 million for the Collaborative Urban Educator program;
• $1.8 million for the Parent Aware early learning quality rating system;
• $1.5 million for the Reading Corps tutoring program;
• $1.5 million for student mentoring partnerships through the Sanneh Foundation;
• $1.5 million for the Girls in Action mentoring program grants;
• $1.5 million for “grow your own” teacher residency pilot program; and
• $1 million for loan forgiveness for teachers who work in shortage areas.

Policy provisions incorporated

The bill incorporates the omnibus education policy bill, HF3066, sponsored by Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton), including provisions that would direct the Education Department to develop a detailed data security plan and prohibit most statewide student surveys about substance abuse, sexual activities and other behaviors.

The bill would establish study groups to delve into two complex issues — student discipline and teacher licensure — while also taking some immediate actions on both topics.

WATCH Committee discussion of the omnibus education finance bill

While major changes to teacher licensure law will wait for recommendations from a study group, the bill includes some immediate actions based on recommendations from the legislative auditor, including clarifying Board of Teaching responsibilities, directing the board to maintain a user-friendly online application system, requiring the board to notify candidates about reasons for denying applications and granting one-year professional teaching license for candidates who meet all licensure requirements except skills exams.

The bill would incorporate both a proposal from Rep. Drew Christensen (R-Burnsville) to establish a student discipline working group and Loon’s proposal to take immediate action to support teachers. Under the bill, districts would be required to notify teachers and support staff before placing a student with “a history of violent behavior” in their classrooms and would allow teachers the authority to remove students from their classrooms for misconduct.

What’s in the bill?

The following are selected bills that have been incorporated in part or in whole into the omnibus education finance bill:

• HF1392 (Bennett)
• HF3854 (Bennett)
• HF804 (Christensen)
• HF3013 (Christensen)
• HF3133 (Christensen)
• HF2731 (Davnie)
• HF498 (Dettmer)
• HF3066 (Erickson)
• HF3132 (Erickson)
• HF2805 (Fenton)
• HF3340 (Fenton)
• HF2981 (Howe)
• HF2670 (Kresha)
• HF2902 (Loon)
• HF2937 (Loon)
• HF3043 (Loon)