School before Labor Day is back on the table.
The House K-12 Education Finance Division significantly amended a bill March 12 that would eliminate unnecessary mandates.
When HF920, sponsored by Rep. Tom Tillberry (DFL-Fridley), was approved by the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee on March 5, the bill addressed several reporting requirements that could save districts money.
But the bill’s substance changed with the addition of two amendments: one offered by Rep. John Benson (DFL-Minnetonka) that would permit school districts to start before Labor Day for the next two school years, and another offered by Rep. Denise Dittrich (DFL-Champlin) that would postpone by one year school districts’ requirement to implement revised standards in the arts, science, language arts and social studies as a cost-saving measure. The bill was approved as amended and held over for possible inclusion in an omnibus education finance bill.
According to the bill’s sponsor, the bill resulted from a bipartisan work group commissioned to help school districts save money by eliminating unnecessary and costly rules. Special education mandates, the subject of a separate task force, were excluded.
Tillberry estimated, for example, the Wayzata school district would save $100,000 if the bill is enacted.
“If you multiply that out statewide, this does something for schools, and that is what the work group assigned us to do, to allow schools to find some money,” he said.
The companion, SF1396, is sponsored by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt) and awaits action in the Senate Education Committee.
The year without a K-12 law
School funding is flat, no reforms enacted
(view full story)
Published 6/1/2010
House K-12 omnibus bill fast-tracked
Senate slow to respond with companion legislation
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
K-12 education omnibus bill stalls
Teacher licensure proposals in contention
(view full story)
Published 5/6/2010
K-12 education bill moves forward
Measures would activate reforms, stabilize school funding
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Resuscitating Race to the Top bid
New bid could hinge on proposals to boost teacher effectiveness
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Raiders of the lost fund
Slew of reforms could boost Permanent School Fund income
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
Schools shore up state’s checkbook
Obscure law forces drawdown of school reserves before state can borrow
(view full story)
Published 2/25/2010
At Issue: No shifts, no cuts
Education funding in a holding pattern
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: E-12 education bill that might have been
Funding held steady with no shifts proposed, but no Minnesota Miracle
(view full story)
Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Investing in quality care for kids
Lawmakers hope for long-term benefits of early investment
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Building a better formula
Omnibus K-12 education finance bill floor debate highlights obstacles
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Whose values are they anyway?
Lawmaker carries on family legacy with sex education bill
(view full story)
Published 4/17/2009
First Reading: One school doesn’t fit all
Efforts put forward to tailor charter school law
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Hopeful education goals in a dismal year
Omnibus bill addresses changing needs and future demands
(view full story)
Published 4/3/2009
At Issue: Getting kids to move
Bill aims to ensure ‘No child left on their behind’
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009
First Reading: Accountability funding for all
A ‘New Minnesota Miracle’ requires a leap of faith
(view full story)
Published 2/13/2009
At Issue: Q Comp found wanting
Performance measure has perks, but is it affordable?
(view full story)
Published 2/6/2009
At Issue: Reforming education, saving money
Bipartisan support shown for mandate reduction and shared services
(view full story)
Published 1/23/2009
Feature: Passing the torch of democracy
Youth immerse themselves in lingo and actions of lawmaking
(view full story)
Published 1/16/2009