Education finance funding allocations involving school district funding, general education basic formula allowance, special education cross subsidy aid, school unemployment aid account funding, English learner cross subsidy aid, and safe schools revenue increased; calculations for school's compensatory revenue eligibility modified; school board powers modified; and money appropriated.
Impact
The proposed changes in HF1028 would affect various state laws, particularly those concerning education finance and funding allocations for school districts. The adjustments to the funding formula intend to ensure that each district can maintain appropriate levels of educational service amidst rising costs. Furthermore, the introduction of a mechanism allowing school boards to renew voter-approved operating referendums more flexibly may help districts secure ongoing financial support without needing to hold an election each time.
Summary
House File 1028 addresses various aspects of education finance in Minnesota, proposing significant increases in funding for school districts. Key elements of the bill include adjustments to the general education basic formula allowance and the establishment of additional funding for special education cross-subsidy aid. This increase is aimed at providing additional support to districts struggling with the costs associated with special education services, which often exceed their allocated budgets. Funding for programs supporting English learners and safe schools is also set to be increased, reflecting an emphasis on inclusive education.
Contention
While there is a clear intent to bolster education funding, contentious issues may arise from the reforms in how referendums regarding funding can be renewed. Critics may argue that allowing school boards to bypass a democratic vote undermines voter intent and could lead to excessive levying without checks from the electorate. Additionally, the bill may provoke debate on whether the increases in funding are sufficient to meet the diverse needs of all districts, particularly those with dramatically different funding capacities and challenges.
Prekindergarten through grade 12 education funding provided; general education, literacy and learning, special education, education innovation, and education excellence provisions modified; and money appropriated.
Funding provided for kindergarten through grade 12 education; general education, literacy and learning, special education, education innovation, and education excellence provisions modified; forecast adjustments made; reports required; and money appropriated.
Compensatory revenue modified, revenue uses changed, best practices encouraged, percentage of compensatory revenue that must stay at each school site increased, report on eliminating paper forms required, and money appropriated.
Local optional revenue increased, future increases in local optional revenue linked to the growth in general education basic formula allowance, and money appropriated.
Local optional revenue modified, revenue for unemployment costs and family paid medical leave included in local optional revenue, referendum revenue simplified, equalization aid increased, and money appropriated.
Local optional revenue modifications, unemployment costs and family paid medical leave in local optional revenue inclusion, referendum revenue simplification, equalization aid increase, and appropriating money
Local optional aid for schools increase provision, state-paid free lunches limited to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level, and appropriation
Local optional aid for schools increased, state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level limited, and money appropriated.