Rochester Public Schools face a $1.6 million budget deficit for the 2018-2019 school year

Governor Dayton has proposed $137.9 million in emergency aid to help schools across Minnesota avoid layoffs and program cuts 

ST. PAUL, MN – After visiting with students at Franklin Elementary School in Rochester, Governor Mark Dayton today urged the Minnesota Legislature to support and pass $137.9 million in one-time Emergency School Aid for schools across Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s proposal would provide additional, needed state funding for school districts across the state. Right now, at least 26 school districts in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota are facing immediate budget deficits.

Without action from the Minnesota Legislature, those deficits could result in hundreds of teachers and support staff being laid off, along with significant cuts to school programs, in the coming year. Governor Dayton’s proposal amounts to an additional $126 for every student in Minnesota. 

“Schools throughout Minnesota, including in Rochester, are facing severe budget shortfalls in the coming year. With a projected $329 million state budget surplus, our schools should not be forced to cut the excellent teachers and services that our students depend on,” said Governor Dayton. “With just days remaining in the 2018 Legislative Session, I urge Minnesota Legislators to join me, and support this Emergency School Aid to address the urgent needs of our students and teachers.”

Rochester Public Schools, which has more than 17,500 students, currently is facing a $1.6 million budget deficit. Byron Public Schools, which has approximately 2,100 students, also has reported a budget deficit of approximately $500,000. Lake City Schools, which serves 1,200 students, has a $197,000 deficit. Governor Dayton’s Emergency School Aid proposal would help districts mitigate teacher layoffs, rising class sizes, and other cuts to programs and services.

Rochester and surrounding communities are not alone. Schools across Minnesota are struggling to address budget deficits this year. Based on voluntary survey data collected by the Association of Metro School Districts and the Minnesota Rural Education Association, at least 59 Minnesota school districts are facing budget deficits in the coming year.

“Our district is close to finalizing our budget for 2018-2019. We have trimmed $1.6 million dollars from this budget,” said Rochester Schools Superintendent Michael Muñoz. “Receiving additional funding would allow us to consider adding back additional supports that directly impact our students, or allow us to forgo future budget cuts. We are hopeful the emergency funding will pass, but we are prepared if it does not.”

According to the Association of Metro School Districts, 26 school districts in the metropolitan area are facing deficits that could lead to hundreds of teacher layoffs; according to the Minnesota Rural Education Association, at least 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota will be eliminating staff due to budget deficits, including a total of 85 teachers and 75 non-licensed staff across these 33 districts. 

·         To read Governor Dayton’s letter to the people of Minnesota, asking them to urge their legislators to support Emergency School Aid this session, CLICK HERE

·         To learn more about Governor Dayton’s proposed Emergency School Aid, CLICK HERE.

·         To see how local school districts across Minnesota would benefit from Governor Dayton’s Emergency School Aid proposal, CLICK HERE.

·         To learn more about all of Governor Dayton’s proposed investments in education, CLICK HERE.

$2 Billion in Education Investments Since 2011

State support for public education decreased, in real dollars, by almost $2,000 per student from 2003 to 2012. Under Governor Dayton’s leadership, Minnesota has begun to reverse that trend. The Governor worked with the Minnesota Legislature to increase per-pupil aid by more than $1,000 in real dollars and invest $2 billion overall in new education investments that have helped young learners attend all-day Kindergarten and early learning programs, along with additional investments for all K-12 students. In addition to the $2 billion he has secured, Governor Dayton also has proposed an additional $756 million in E-12 education investments since taking office, which have gone unfunded by the Legislature.