To the Editor:
As we recognize National Teacher’s Appreciation Week, I want to thank the teachers in our community for their hard work and long hours to help our children succeed. Growing up in our community, I especially want to thank those teachers who have made such an impact on my life and my children’s. These experts in the classroom know and understand that every student’s needs are different; our teachers need the resources to deliver a quality education all Minnesota kids deserve. The Minnesota Republican Legislature sponsored an education budget that underfunds our K-12 public schools. Here’s how:
Despite a budget surplus, Minnesota Republicans are choosing to underfund our schools. Educators, administrators and school districts have testified that a modest 2% funding increase is needed just to stay afloat with costs of inflation and student growth, yet Republicans are choosing to underfund our schools with less. In fact, the House Republican proposal eliminates the successful voluntary pre-K program. Education has made Minnesota a leader, but we won’t continue to lead by providing big tax breaks to the wealthy and corporate special interests. Instead, providing all Minnesota children a quality education ought to be our top priority.
Despite the threat of veto by Governor Dayton, the Republicans in the House and Senate majorities are choosing to prioritize private schools over public schools, creating a back-door voucher program for private school tuition. Public schools see each of our students equally - whether they have a learning or physical disability, or any other uniqueness they bring to the classroom. Meanwhile, private schools have the ability to pick and choose which students to teach. It's our responsibility as a state to ensure ALL Minnesota children have access to a quality education, which is why strong public schools need to be a top priority.
Instead of these choices, we could invest in the things that make Minnesota’s economy strong, like education, and improving opportunity for all Minnesotans.
Please contact me anytime at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative