On Thursday, the state budget forecast was released and the state deficit ballooned to $935 million.  The size of the deficit is going to make it difficult to avoid painful cuts across state programs and services. 

This week, SEE surveyed our districts asking the question, "If the projected funding remains at its current level for the 2008-09 school year, how will your districts be impacted."  Out of the 48 districts that responded, 60% of them are already making cuts next year, 65% are dipping into fund balance.  Some districts are doing both.  At a Senate hearing on Wednesday the SF3125 "emergency" education funding bill was heard.  It was stated that over 1000 teachers across the state are already going to lose their jobs.  For example, the Osseo school district is proposing the elimation of 166 teachers to balance their budget.  Brainerd is cutting over 57 teaching positions.  Class sizes are going up and programs are being cut.  Districts are already hurting.

Our schools cannot afford any additional cuts in revenue from the state.  The state leaders and legislators must find other creative ways to balance the state budget and fund the SF3125 education "emergency" bill.  Now is the time for education supporters to be heard.  See "What You Can Do" below.

 

On Monday, the legislature voted to over-ride the governor's veto of the transportation bill.  The 6 republicans who voted against their party to support the over-ride were immediately stripped of their leadership committee positions and were told they would not get the republican endorsement for their re-election campaigns in the fall.  These actions taken against the 6 are the harshest seen in years.  Constituents are not represented if their legislator is answerable only to the party leaders.  Voters in general should be concerned about this because it is what causes gridlock.  Partisanship doesn't allow compromise.  Government comes to a standstill and none of the pressing problems gets addressed. 

Sen. Sandy Rummel introduced SF3250 which brings the work of the Minnesota's Promiseto the legislature.  The Minnesota's Promise - World Class Schools, World Class State is a joint venture between education organizations and the University of Minnesota to establish a clear and compelling vision for Minnesota's public schools.   With a clear vision of excellence, specific strategies and structures are designed and then implemented to ensure that Minnesota's educational system ranks among the highest performing in the world. 

It is encouraging to see the continued conversation at the legislature to renew the state's commitment to education. This is work that can be done now even in these tough economic times.  Minnesota's Promise along with the Legislative School Finance Reform Task Force are both defining a long-term comprehensive vision for our public schools.  Several countries close in size to Minnesota - New Zealand, Sinapore and Finland -along with Massachusetts has instituted major education reform that has shown impressive increases in student achievement.

Creating a world class educational system is a monumental endeavor but other countries and states have shown it can be done.  We often hear our governor and legislators speak of the need for Minnesota to be a national leader in education to ensure our economic prosperity, but these leaders need to have the political will to make that more than just rhetoric.  Both history and research show that success will only be achieved with a state-wide strategy that is supported across political lines. 

 

1.  It is vital for education supporters to voice support for our children and their schools.  Take the time right now to e-mail or call your legislators and tell them that they can NOT make any cuts to education to balance the state budget and they need to support the SF3125 "emergency" education funding bill.  If you don't know who your legislators are, you can click here to find out who represents you. 

 

Be sure to copy the copy the governor, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader and the tax committee chairs.   I have put their email addresses below so you can cut and paste them directly into your email. 

 

tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us, sen.larry.pogemiller@senate.mn, rep.margaret.kelliher@house.mn, rep.ann.lenczewski@house.mn

 

 

Visit Brad's Blog for daily updates from the capitol!

 

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Deb Griffiths

Schools for Equity in Education

612-309-0089