07/09/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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-Pt sh kttcat, R ct,vvwt.e.U2 1.1 ok-wte,c.il V lei 2007 Education Issues Early Education - High School Funding Increase The 2007 E-12 Education Fund- ing Bill appropriates an additional $788.5 million for early and K -12 education in Minnesota, providing a total of $13.7 billion for education programs for the next two years. It provides a 2% Basic Education funding formula increase in FY 08 and 1% increase for FY 09, total- ing $100 more per student in FY 08 and $50 per student in FY 09. Districts will also receive one -time funds totaling $90 million to help defray costs of technology, energy costs, textbooks and other operating expenses. The bill brings stability back to education funding and makes good on the state's commitment to pay its special education bills. It makes a downpayment on all -day kindergar- ten and helps prepare schools for a full -blown program for our young learners. Under terms of this bill, schools will see a significant fund- ing increase. Special Education The bulk of the additional funds ($326 million) will pay the special education "cap gap" that has been accumulating the past five years and is owed to school districts by the state. The bill also reinstates the "growth factor" capped in 2003 and provides for a 4.6% increase each year to cover regular education costs and a 2% increase in special education excess costs. Over the past four years, special education costs have increased 33 %, making them the largest school budget cost driver. All -Day Kindergarten All -day kindergarten receives $32.5 million for all Minnesota schools by increasing kindergarten pu- pil weights. Research shows that students are better prepared to meet the rigors of their formal schooling after a year of full -day kindergarten. Currently, only 31% of Minnesota children attend all -day kindergar- ten, compared to 63% of children nationally. The funding provided in the education bill passed this year helps create the financial incentives Minnesota school districts need to provide all -day programs. After - School Community Learning Grants /Nutrition Funding Increased This year, the Legislature was able to reinstate funding for after - school enrichment programs for students and increased funding to help schools provide healthy breakfast and lunch options. Gifted and Talented Programs Receive Funding Boost Gifted and talented programs received a $5.4 million increase to help schools provide enhanced edu- cational opportunities for students. Libraries Libraries will also receive an addi- tional $12 million for support grants and telecommunications aid. Basic support system grants are increased by $5.18 million. Multi -type, multi - county library system grants are increased by $753,000, and regional library telecommunications aid is increased by $2.09 million. The $4.5 million to aid the Hen- nepin County/Minneapolis library system merger was vetoed. School Technology Aid The bill appropriates $90 million ($40 per student in FY 08 and $55 1-4T-67 K -12 Education Contacts Minnesota Department of Education www.education.state.mn.us Education Minnesota www.educationminnesota.org P.S. Minnesota www.psminnesota.org Parents United www.parentsunited.org Minnesota Parent Teacher Organization www.mnpta.org Minnesota Council on Family Relations www.mcfr.net Parent Advocacy for Educational Rights (PACER) www.pacer.org U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov per student in FY 09) in one -time aid to help districts pay for technol- ogy upgrades, textbooks, library media resources and technology and improve or repair school sites. School Bullying Policies to Include Internet A bill to strengthen Minnesota's anti - bullying law to include the Internet and other electronic forms passed this session. The change re- quires that as school districts design their model anti - bullying policies, they address bullying that occurs on the Internet or through other electronic forms. State Senator Sandy Rummel 323 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155 - (651) 296 -1253 - sen.sandy.rummel @senate.mn