House Republicans Propose Real Solutions for Struggling Schools
Saint Paul, MN – As the third legislative deadline passes, House Republicans have introduced a bold package of legislation aimed at saving Minnesota’s schools. Representative Ben Bakeberg (R-Jordan) emphasized that this initiative is grounded in trust and respect for educators and local school boards - the true boots on the ground.
“Simply put, we trust teachers, administrators, and local leaders to do what’s best for their schools and students,” said Rep. Bakeberg. “This package is about real solutions, not growing bureaucracy.”
The proposals come in response to Governor Walz’s education budget, introduced by the Minnesota Department of Education, which includes over $240 million in cuts to local schools. These cuts include:
Shifting the cost of special education, community education, and transportation to local school districts
Eliminating Q Comp funding for teacher professional development
Cutting nonpublic pupil aid, which helps provide mental health services, nursing, and textbooks to students in nonpublic schools
“These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. These are real impacts to teachers, classrooms, and students,” Bakeberg said. “Meanwhile, the Governor’s proposal grows the Department of Education instead of putting that money into our schools.”
Rep. Bakeberg and House Republicans are offering an alternative—one that provides local control, mandate relief, and flexible funding. The package includes the following bills:
HF 2318 – Allows teachers to retire with an unreduced pension at age 62 with 30 years of service
HF 2329 – Expands the reduced early retirement option to teachers aged 60 with 30 years of service
HF 2388 – Increases general education funding by $100 per pupil. Estimated local impact:
Prior Lake-Savage: $942,960
Jordan: $201,080
Shakopee: $799,052
HF 2201 –This would allow the legislature to reallocate the $112,000,000 dollars per year in savings back into our local schools. This bill continues free breakfast for all students and lunch for students from a family of 4 making less than $156,000 per year. Updated fiscal notes show this savings growing year over year - totaling $470,111,585 in just four years.
HF 1803 – Reduces paperwork burdens so special education teachers can spend more time with students
HF 1435 – Allows schools to develop innovative programming without approval from the Commissioner of Education
HF 1052 – Allows out-of-school suspension for disruptive K-3 students for up to three days to preserve classroom safety
HF 957 – Provides flexibility in implementing the over-65 mandate and allows schools to prioritize state funding for local needs
HF 56 – Expands access to student support personnel aid by merging it with the Safe Schools Levy
“With a looming $6 billion budget deficit, the path forward must prioritize the classroom,” said Bakeberg. “These are common-sense reforms that empower local leaders, not bureaucrats in St. Paul, to make the best decisions for their students.”
Rep. Bakeberg encourages Minnesotans to get involved and make their voices heard.
“Reach out to the Governor, the Department of Education, and your legislators,” he said. “We can’t afford to get this wrong. Our students, educators, and communities deserve better.”