School District 197 To Gain An Additional $2.9 Million, District 6 To Receive Additional $2.1 Million
SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill on a bipartisan vote of 83 to 50. The bill reverses a decade of disinvestment in education and makes historic investments in strategies proven to close the achievement gap, raise graduation rates, and improve student career and college readiness.
“This bill will help us prepare Minnesota kids for the economic opportunities of tomorrow. New investments in all-day kindergarten, early childhood education, and college readiness will all help our kids,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL—South Saint Paul). “I’m also glad this bill includes significant new funding for our communities’ schools.”
The House education budget also contains a new strategy to close the revenue equity gap and reduce property taxes. The bill enhances the equity formula guaranteeing all districts at least $300 per student of equity and referendum revenue, and raises and indexes operating referendum levy equalization factors to reduce property taxes.
The budget provides $2.9 million for School District 197, which includes West Saint Paul, Mendota Heights, and Eagan during the next two years. School District 6, which contains South Saint Paul, would receive additional $2.1 million more.
The omnibus education bill increases funding for K-12 schools by four percent – or over $315 million – during the next two years. It also invests in all-day kindergarten and early childhood education. These are proven programs to improve test scores, help close the achievement gap and prepare students for future academic success.
To develop a world-class workforce, the House education budget also implements several critical reforms. Schools are charged with developing strategic plans for student achievement and updates parents on their children’s academic progress each year. The state also will utilize the Minnesota Department of Education’s Regional Centers of Excellence to provide assistance to schools to reach the goal of a quality education for every Minnesota child.
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