House Republican school safety package stalls; DFL proposal up next

Nathan Flansburg is the superintendent of PACT Charter School in Ramsey. He laments that schools are no longer about simply getting an education.

“Schools are now expected to provide layered systems of protection, physical security, mental health support and digital safeguards. These are not enhancements to the educational experience, they are now part of the baseline expectations families have when they send their students to us,” Flansburg told the House Education Finance Committee Tuesday.

To address school safety, Rep. Bryan Lawrence (R-Princeton) is sponsoring HF3493 that, as amended, would:

• require the Minnesota School Safety Center to create a model school safety plan that school districts across the state can adopt;
• require the Department of Education to create a list of third parties that provide anonymous reporting systems and encourage school districts to implement them;
• set the safe school revenue amount at $68 per pupil and expand availability of the aid to nonpublic schools, allowing all schools to use student support personnel aid for any safe schools purpose;
• allow districts to suspend students in grades K-3 for up to three days with the approval of the superintendent; and
• create a school safety facility program that provides grants up to $500,000 for school facility improvements.

“This bill works to create a safe learning environment for all students. … It provides options for protecting every student in every school, public, nonpublic, charter, tribal. All the schools are covered. Every student is covered,” Lawrence said.

The bill, of which all co-sponsors are Republican, failed on a party-line vote.

A delete-all amendment to HF4893, a DFL school safety proposal, is scheduled before the committee Thursday. 

A particular point of contention was the proposed reinstatement of dismissals for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Cory McIntyre supports reinstating dismissals. Through Feb. 9, there have been 142 K-3 classroom evacuations in his district and 157 staff injuries, 70% of which occurred at the K-3 level.

“HF3493 provides the needed educational benefit and purpose of giving the needed time for the school team to work in partnership with the student’s parent or guardian to address the behavior and develop and plan for a successful return to school,” he said.

Erin Sandsmark, executive director of Solutions not Suspensions, disagrees with the provision.

“The current Minnesota law banning K-3 suspensions is a research-backed measure designed to maximize instructional time and prevent the disproportionate disciplining of young children. Moving backward will not help our children. I ask you, what is the actual educational benefit of a suspension?”

Rachel Hilyar, director of prevention, safety and grants for the Elk River Area school district, testifies Tuesday before the House Education Finance Committee in support of HF3493, a school safety bill that includes encouraging schools to implement anonymous reporting systems. Rep. Bryan Lawrence sponsors the bill. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

Another point of disagreement was opening support personnel aid for safe school funding purposes.

“That’s what this bill does: increases flexible funding by $50 million to our local schools. It’s not cutting funding,” said Rep. Ben Bakeberg (R-Jordan).

Not so fast says Judy Brown, manager of mental health supports in the Minneapolis school district.

“We urge the Legislature to protect the current formula and maintain distinct funding for student support personnel. This ensures that both mental health and safety needs are met without comprising either.”