A quality educational system plays a critical role in a state’s economic success. For Minnesota to build an economy that works for everyone, all Minnesota children need access to quality education regardless of their race, income or where they live.
Education was high on policymakers’ priorities last session, and the House and Senate’s supplemental budgets continue on that path this year. Both the House (House File 3171) and Senate (Senate File 767) supplemental education funding bills make further investments in our state’s learners.
The House adds $75 million in E-12 funding for FY 2014-2015, while the Senate adds $41 million. Both bills include funding for common priorities, like:
- English Language Learners.
- Reduced price school lunches.
- Early childhood literacy.
- Achievement gap initiatives, the Northside Achievement Zone and the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood.
In addition, the House includes $54 million to increase per-pupil funding in the general education formula for all school districts. The Senate adds $8.8 million for early learning scholarships, which enable low-income children to attend high-quality early education opportunities, as well as $8.9 million for a per-pupil allowance increase for early childhood family education.
Both the House and Senate wrapped all of their supplemental funding proposals into one omnibus bill (House File 3172), which passed the House on April 3 and the Senate on April 8. A conference committee will convene after the legislative Passover/Easter break to work out the differences.
-Clark Biegler