Governor Dayton’s proposal would provide $137.9 million in emergency, one-time funding to increase resources for every Minnesota school district by $126 per student
At least 59 school districts throughout Minnesota are facing budget shortfalls that could result in hundreds of teachers being laid off and programs eliminated
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota teachers and superintendents joined Governor Mark Dayton today to urge Legislators to support a proposal for
$137.9 million in one-time Emergency School Aid, which would provide additional, needed state funding for school districts across the state. Right now, at least 26 school districts in the metropolitan area and 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota are facing immediate budget deficits. Without action from the Minnesota Legislature before they adjourn in 18 days, 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.
“From 2003 to 2012, our state’s public school aid decreased, in real dollars, by almost $2,000 per student,” said Governor Dayton. “Since then, we have reversed that trend, increasing per-pupil aid by more than $1,000 in real dollars and investing $2 billion overall in E-12 education.
“Still, many school districts throughout our state are now reporting that they face severe financial shortfalls, which will force the layoffs of hundreds of teachers and support staff in the next school year. This Emergency School Aid is essential to ensure that our schools can continue to provide the high quality educations their students need and deserve. I urge Legislators to join me in addressing the urgent needs of our students and teachers.”
“Governor Dayton continues to make our kids and our schools a priority,” said Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. “Since he took office he’s been steadily working to increase education funding to keep pace with the rising costs and increased demands placed on our schools. His call today for additional funding relief means that schools would be able to avoid increased class sizes, maintain important programs and services, and hold the line on other cuts that could negatively impact student learning in the coming school year.”
Since taking office in 2011, Governor Dayton has secured $2 billion in new education investments that have helped young learners across Minnesota 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 has also proposed an additional $756 million in E-12 education investments since taking office, which have gone unfunded by the Legislature.
“Due to funding shortfalls increased special education cross subsidies, Benson Schools has to cut three percent of its budget,” said Benson Public Schools Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer. “Part of the reductions include a Physical Education Teacher and a Science Teacher, which will reduce programs for students. Governor Dayton’s proposal for emergency funding will help districts, like Benson, bridge the funding gap and maintain opportunities for students.”
“We are in danger of throwing away the heritage of ‘the Minnesota Miracle,’” said Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard. “Districts, schools and students have changed, and funding has not kept pace. Our state has the capacity to lead the nation once again, but we need the funding to make it happen.”
“We’re facing budget cuts of about $650,000 this year. That’s a lot in a district our size,” said Mora High School Teacher Joy Whitbred. “The one-time money the Governor is proposing will be lifeline from where we are now to the next two-year budget. I hope this Legislature passes this emergency aid for schools and the next Legislature finds some long-term solutions.”
“Having nearly 30 eight-year-olds in a classroom means I will be doing as much crowd control as teaching,” said Winona Third Grade Teacher Matt Reuter. “If I was in charge, I would spend every dime of it keeping class sizes down for the youngest students next year. Smaller classes mean better readers, more learning in math and more kids who get fired up for science. You can't ask for a better return than that. The Governor's proposal for $138 million in emergency school aid would send about $360,000 to my district. That could make a difference. I urge the Legislature to approve the Governor's request.”
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. 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 learn more about Governor Dayton’s proposed Emergency School Aid,
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To see how local school districts across Minnesota would benefit from Governor Dayton’s Emergency School Aid proposal,
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To learn more about all of Governor Dayton’s proposed investments in education,
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