Reforms and Increased Funding for Schools to Build the World’s Best Workforce

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July! It was great to see so many of you at Eagan’s FunFest. As we have more community events throughout the summer and fall, please don’t hesitate to come up and talk to me about legislative issues and the legislative session.

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.

Eagan Schools and Taxpayers Will Benefit

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District will receive a formula increase of $3.2 million or $120 per-pupil (1.2 percent) in fiscal year 2014 and a total increase of $12.2 million, or $455 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.5 percent).

The West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District will receive an increase of $687,913 or $148 per-pupil in fiscal year 2014 (1.4 percent) and a total increase of $2.3 million or $508 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (4.7 percent).

Finally, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District will receive a formula increase of $1.6 million or $173 per-pupil (1.5 percent) in fiscal year 2014 and a total increase of $5.3 million, or $562 per-pupil in fiscal year 2015 (5 percent).

These and other new education dollars will bring smaller class sizes, all-day kindergarten, early childhood scholarships, a college tuition freeze, and tools to close the achievement gap and increase student achievement.

Paying Back the School Shift

Minnesota Management and Budget recently announced that the state has $463 million in additional revenue collected during the past budget cycle. As a result of action by the Minnesota Legislature this year, that money will go to Minnesota schools in an effort to pay back the money borrowed from schools.

With this $463 million, about $2 billion of the $2.4 billion in debt owed to schools will have been repaid, putting the state in a good position to fully pay back schools by 2014.  

Along with funding increases, the budget implements several important reforms. Schools will develop strategic plans for student achievement and update the public on their status each year. The Minnesota Department of Education’s Regional Centers of Excellence will also provide assistance and work with schools to reach their goals.

Reform

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.

These new investments and reforms will make a positive difference in our students’ lives and in our economy for years to come.

As always, feel free contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. You can reach me at 651-296-4128 or rep.laurie.halverson@house.mn. You can also “Like” my legislative page on Facebook. Thanks for the honor of being your voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Laurie Halverson

State Representative

District 51B