The state of Minnesota has a $1.9 billion budget surplus, but the current education funding proposals at the Capitol fall short of what’s needed in the Cook County Public School and other schools across Greater Minnesota.
In Cook County Public School, this would mean significant budget reductions.
School districts across the state expect similar results. A recent statewide survey by the Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA) of school superintendents found that the proposed 1 percent funding for education each of the next two years (commonly referred to as 1&1) would mean larger class sizes, fewer electives and hundreds of pink slips in Greater Minnesota schools. The 124 superintendents who responded to the survey reported that funding level will result in the layoffs of 160 teachers and 80 support staff and a total of $17.4 million in budget reductions in the next school year, according to MREA. The MREA report found the effects on students will be as follows: (in descending order of frequency reported in the state survey): . Larger class sizes at all levels . Fewer high school electives . Supply budgets frozen or cut . Less expansion of technology for students and classroom use . Less access to support personnel such as guidance counselors, social workers, technology support
These could be avoided with more adequate state funding for education. If Minnesota elected leaders invested half the $1.9 billion surplus for education, they could provide sufficient K-12 resources to maintain class sizes and electives across Minnesota and meet other education priorities including early learning. That’s the type of investment Minnesota needs in education. The basic education formula has not kept up with inflation for the past 12 years.
The Minnesota Legislature will finalize and approve its budget for the next two school years by early May. Contact your representatives and senators.
Beth A. Schwarz, Superintendent
School District 166
Grand Marais
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