SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the E-12 Education Budget. The legislation makes the strongest level of investment in public schools in 15 years, preserves 4,000 pre-K slots set to expire without action, makes historic investments in increasing the number of teachers of color and Indigenous teachers in Minnesota, and holds down special education and English Language Learner budget shortfalls.
“Students, teachers, and school staff have experienced unprecedented challenges over the past year, and our bipartisan E-12 Education budget will help them bounce back,” said Rep. Rick Hansen, who voted in favor of the budget. “Today, we approved historic investments in public education – the largest in 15 years – with additional support for students with special needs and tools to recruit and retain teachers of color and Indigenous teachers. These investments will help provide the resources students need to succeed now and into the future.”
The compromise bill includes the strongest level of investment in public education in 15 years with a 2.45 percent increase to the general formula in 2022, and another 2 percent in 2023. That means South St. Paul Public Schools (SSD 6) will receive $374 more per student in 2022 and $536 more per student in 2023. West St. Paul – Mendota Heights – Eagan Area Schools (ISD 197) will receive a per-pupil increase of $240 and $385 in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
A spreadsheet of the investments contained within the legislation can be accessed here. Video of the House Floor session will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.