K-12 schools are big winners in 2019 session
Pop quiz: The Minnesota Constitution requires state funding for only two budget areas. One is Transportation. Can you guess the other?
If you guessed education, congratulations! At over 40% of the entire state budget, education is not only one of the biggest state responsibilities, but it is one of only two prescribed by the Constitution.
This was my first year serving on the Senate’s K-12 Education Committee. It is a tremendous responsibility. Minnesotans have always been passionate about our excellent schools, and it is an honor to play a key role in solidifying that incredible legacy for future generations.
You might remember that Republicans fully funded education back in 2017, with an $18.7 billion total investment on our students and teachers – a $1.3 billion increase from the previous year. That budget included funding for preschool, school enrollment growth, special education, and long-term facilities maintenance aid to help with infrastructure and facilities improvements.
Notably, it also included 2% annual increases to the per-student funding formula, which is the best way of getting dollars directly into the classrooms. Teachers and school districts made these 2% increases a number one priority, and we were happy to help them achieve it.
I am proud to say we built upon that success in 2019. Republicans put Minnesota students first, offering opportunities for children of all backgrounds to succeed.
This year’s education budget represents a $20.1 billion investment in schools. With that level of funding, teachers can be confident they will have the tools they need to deliver students a top-notch education.
Republicans also approved annual 2% increases to the per-student education formula once again, so schools will continue to have the flexibility to meet the diverse needs of their students.
What does this mean for school districts in our area? It means everyone is getting more funding.
- Hayfield: $180 per student increase, $120,960 total new funding
- Kasson-Mantorville: $161 per student increase, $355,005 total new funding
- Faribault: $283 per student increase, $989,085 total new funding
- Northfield: $180 per student increase, $717,840 total new funding
- Blooming Prairie: $161 per student increase, $121,716 total new funding
- Owatonna: $242 per student increase, $1,171,280 total new funding
- Medford: $194 per student increase, $175,764 total new funding
- Waseca: $175 per student increase, $329,000 total new funding
- Triton: $173 per student increase, $189,435 total new funding
- Waterville-Elysian-Morristown: $172 per student increase, $135,536 total new funding
- R.H.E.G.: $172 per student increase, $147,920 total new funding
- Kenyon-Wanamingo: $343 per student increase, $259,308 total new funding
In addition, the Republican education budget provided $90 million to help schools cover growing special education costs, which was a top priority for Minnesota’s public schools, and $30 million in school safety funding. These dollars can be used for hard security upgrades and infrastructure improvements or to hire professionals that can help keep our students safe, like school counselors, psychologists, nurses, and school resource officers.
Minnesota government has a lot of responsibilities. Perhaps too many. But arguably the most important is education. A strong, thriving K-12 education system is the foundation for all of our success. Job growth, innovation, economic development, population growth – it all stems from an education system that continues to develop future leaders. With the resources Republicans provided to schools this year, we know the future is bright.