Standing Up for Minnesota’s Schools
As this year’s legislative session moves forward, education remains one of the biggest topics at the Capitol and around the kitchen tables in our communities. People care deeply about their local schools, and for good reason. What happens now will shape the future for our students and our state.
Unfortunately, education funding is at risk. Governor Walz and DFL leaders in both the House and Senate are implementing programs and proposing local funding cuts that would make it harder for schools to keep staff, maintain programs, and support students. With budgets already tight and teachers stretched thin, cuts like these could not come at a worse time. That is why Republicans in both the House and Senate are standing firm, working to protect the funding our schools need.
At the same time, there is growing concern about new mandates coming from St. Paul. One that has drawn a lot of attention is the ethnic studies requirement. Many of you continue to communicate your concerns, not necessarily about the subject itself, but about yet another one-size-fits-all rule from the state. Local school districts know their students and communities best. Instead of adding more requirements, we should be giving schools more flexibility to focus on the basics and meet local needs. We are trying to put the “I” back into Independent School District (ISD).
We also need to take care of the teachers who have spent their careers supporting our kids. Right now, too many are finding that their pension benefits fall short of what they have earned. After a lifetime in the classroom, they deserve better. Lawmakers are working on ways to strengthen the teacher pension system, not just for those retiring soon, but for the new educators just getting started. It is about fairness and respect for the people who have given so much to our communities.
Another issue that keeps coming up is educational choice. Not every student learns the same way, and for many families, non-public options like private schools, charter schools, or homeschooling are the best fit. These alternatives give parents the flexibility to do what is right for their kids. But there is growing concern that some want to limit or even eliminate those choices. We need to stand up for families and preserve the right to choose the educational path that works best for their children.
At the end of the day, education should be about putting students first. That means strong funding, local control, support for teachers, and protecting choice. That is the focus we need to keep.
Representative Tom Sexton
District 19B