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Legislative Update A Communication for Parents and Education Supporters in SEE Districts |
April 18, 2008 | |
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| What's Happening at the Capital - The Mega Budget Bill
The House and Senate education funding bills have been rolled into the very large overall budget deficit reduction bills - HF1812/SF3813. The budget bills were passed in each chamber and are now being reconciled in the finance conference committee.
On Tuesday, an E-12 education budget working group chaired by Sen. Leroy Stumpf and Rep. Mindy Greiling met. Their leadership and the finance conference committee asked the working group to evaluate the education provisions in the budget bill. Leadership wanted them to separate out pure policy issues that had been included in the budget bill and move them into the education policy bills. The working group was also charged with reconciling the remaining differences between the education funding provisions in the House and Senate budget bills.
In summary, the working group recommended:
- a one-time appropriation of $51 per student
- the option to transfer an additional $51 per student from a districts capital fund to its general fund, if these funds are available
(This is the equivalent of a 1% increase to the formula with another 1% through the fund transfer option. The House and Senate want to provide this emergency funding for our schools to minimize budget cuts in the 2008-09 school year.)
Other provision that will be helpful are:
- increase the reimbursement for kindergarten screening
- increase the reimbursement for the school milk program from 14 cents to 20 cents
- provides clarifying language on the ballot in cases where districts are merely renewing referendums.
I have a more complete listing of the recommendations by the E-12 education budget working group for those interested at the end of this update. | |
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Funding the Proposed Increases for Education
The cost for the $51 per student increase is ~$44 million. To fund this increase and the other smaller appropriations, the legislature is proposing to recapture unused Q-comp funds by freezing new applications to the program until 2011, reducing the funding to the Department of Education by 4% and using some state reserves. Q-comp which is an alternative teacher compensation program is a pet initiative of the governor. It remains to be seen whether he will support moving these unused funds from the Q-comp program to the classroom so all children can benefit. |
What's Next for The Budget Bill
The Finance Conference Committee will finalize the overall budget bill including the recommendations from the E-12 education budget working group. The bill will go to the House and Senate floors for a vote. If approved, the bill will be sent to the governor. The governor has already indicated that the DFL controlled House and Senate are including provisions in the budget bill that he does not support. Thus, it is likely that this first bill will be vetoed.
What could happen after that is speculative. The legislature could try to over ride the governor which is very unlikely or rework the overall budget bill to compromise with the governor. It is possible that the education provisions could be pulled from the overall budget bill and proceed independently. It is all up in the air right now. |
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What You Can Do
The legislature should be commended for finding increases for education while most other areas of the government are making painful cuts. These desperately needed increases should not be eliminated or reduced in negotiations as the politics play out over the final four weeks of this session. Keep emailing your legislators and copy the Finance Conference Committee members. Click here to find out who represents you. Write simple notes to your senator and representative (you can even cut and paste this one and add your own personal notes to make it unique):
Dear Representatives and Senators,
The E-12 education budget working group recommended an increase of $51 per student for our schools. Although it is one-time money, our schools desperately need every dollar possible to minimize painful budget cuts next year. I encourage you to talk with your caucus leaders to let them know that the increases recommended by the working group must not be reduced in negotiations during the final 4 weeks of the session.
However, long term stability for our schools can only be achieved by comprehensive funding reform. I ask that you support the HF4178(Greiling)/SF3828(Bonoff) - Education Finance System Funding Reform bill that will provide the resources our schools need. I understand this bill will be presented next year during the funding session.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
Include the finance conference committee members:
rep.lyndon.carlson@house.mn, rep.mary.murphy@house.mn, rep.dennis.ozment@house.mn, rep.tom.rukavina@house.mn, rep.jean.wagenius@house.mn, sen.don.betzold@senate.mn, sen.dick.cohen@senate.mn, sen.dennis.frederickson@senate.mn, sen.linda.higgins@senate.mn, sen.david.tomassoni@senate.mn
It is always a good idea to copy the governor and the leaders of the House and Senate:
tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us, sen.larry.pogemiller@senate.mn, rep.margaret.kelliher@house.mn, rep.tony.sertich@house.mn, sen.tarryl.clark@senate.mn
Visit the capitol. Talk with your legislators. Sit in on a committee meeting. These are powerful ways to let the legislators know you support our public schools. I'd be happy to help you contact your legislators and accompany you at the capitol so please don't hesitate to contact me at deb.griffiths@schoolsforequity.org. |
Don't forget to check 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
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| E-12 Education Budget Work Group Recommendations
What's In the Budget Bill
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An one-time appropriation of $51 per student (not pupil units) which is roughly equivalent to an 1% increase to the general formula.
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Allows a one-time $51 per student fund transfer from a district's capitol fund to its general fund.
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Reduces by 4% the funding to the Minnesota Department of Education.
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Freezes new applications to Q-comp, an alternative teacher compensation program, until 2011 and recaptures these dollars to help fund the $51 per pupil increase.
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Increases school milk money reimbursement from 14 cents to 20 cents.
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Increases state reimbursements to districts for kindergarten developmental screening.
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Add clarifying language that appears on the ballot in cases of referendum renewals.
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Increases the allowable lease levy from $100 to $150 per pupil.
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Increases the maximum length of repayment from 10 to 15 years for certain capital facilities bonds.
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Eliminates the square footage limitation to qualify for alternative facilities bonding and levy program.
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Extends the special education task force funding for one year.
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Increases the fees for GED tests.
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Provides an $188,000 appropriation for the development of a growth-based value-added model for statewide testing and reporting systems.
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Allows qualified teacher candidates to apply for licensure via portfolio
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Makes adjustments for tuition reciprocity with adjoining states.
Moved to the Education Policy Bill
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Requirement to add ½ credit of physical education to the state academic standard.
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Development of a growth-based value-added model for statewide testing and reporting systems.
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Modifies the growth factor by which the state calculates adult basic education aid.
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Requirement for local school districts to post wellness policies on their website.
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Allows districts to work with wind energy companies.
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Formation of a Committee on American Indian education programs.
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Changes to the current on-line learning program.
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Changes when a teacher must request a leave or an extension of leave to teach in charter schools.
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Strikes language requiring superintendents to submit annual reports on expenditures needed to ensure that 80% of the students receive a passing score on statewide assessments.
What's Been Dropped
Ending participation in No Child Left Behind.
Development of a Minnesota Virtual Education Program. (a governor initiative)
Funding for Teacher Institutes to provide advanced training for math and science teachers over the summer (a governor initiative)
State reimbursement for CLEP (college level examination program) fees.
Using the land trust permanent school fund for $36 per pupil increase.
Using the $36 per pupil funding from the land trust permanent school fund to establish a school endowment fund dedicated to technology funding for school districts.
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