Let Our Schools Decide: Real Support for Real NeedsHello, Thank you for everything you do to serve our students and community. I’m reaching out today because our schools are at a breaking point, and it’s more important than ever to make your voice heard. Despite the narrative coming from Governor Walz and legislative Democrats, they are the only ones who have proposed cutting funding for Minnesota schools. In fact, during a recent presentation of the Governor’s education budget, the Minnesota Department of Education detailed over $240,000,000 dollars in cuts that would directly impact students and staff. Here are just a few examples of what's included in the Governor’s proposal: Shifting special education costs back onto local school districts Shifting community education costs onto local schools Eliminating Q-Comp, which provides professional development support for teachers Cutting transportation funding for students Eliminating nonpublic pupil aid, which helps provide mental health services, nursing, and textbooks for kids While the Governor plans to grow the Minnesota Department of Education’s size and budget, our local schools are facing more than $240 million in cuts. These cuts are outlined in the Governor’s education budget proposal. Don’t just take my word for it. Click the link to House File 2433 and watch the Department of Education walk through the details for yourself: DOE Video. Our students, educators, families, and communities are struggling, not because they aren’t doing their jobs, but because of the one size fits all approach coming out of St. Paul. Some lawmakers think the solution is a state-run school board, but we know that’s not what our schools need. Real solutions come from the ground up, with flexible, direct funding that allows local districts to meet local needs. That’s why House Republicans have been listening to educators across Minnesota and have introduced a package of bills informed by the people who spend every day in the classroom. Take a look at some of these proposals below. - House File 2318 This bill allows teachers to retire with an unreduced pension at age 62 with 30 years of service.
- House File 2329 Expands reduced Early Special Retirement option from 62/30 to teachers age 60 with 30 years of service.
- House File 2388 Increases funding to local schools by $100 dollars per student. This bill would provide the following state aid to local schools:
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- Prior Lake-Savage - $942,960
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- House File 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.
- House File 1803 This bill would allow special education teachers to have more time working with students and less time doing paperwork.
- House File 1435 Would allow schools to develop innovative programming at the local level without approval from the Commissioner of Education.
- House File 1052 This bill would allow schools to suspend disruptive K-3 students for up to three days in order to maintain a safe and effective learning environment for all.
- House File 957 This bill would allow schools to implement the over-65 mandates on a timeline that fits their local needs. It would also give schools the flexibility to use state funding based on their own priorities.
- House File 56 This bill allows all schools to access the newly developed student support personal aid by merging with another funding bucket (Safe Schools Levy)
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