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2007 E-12 Education Budget Division updates
Update: May 12, 2008 3:15 p.m.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), met Monday, May 12, to consider jurisdictional issues that have arisen.
An amendment put onto the tax bill Sunday would limit the bond authority and compromise funding for about half of a $225.8 million plan to update school facilities in Duluth, according to Duluth Superintendent Keith Dixon. The plan would address a decline in the student population from about 22,000 to 9,600, and reduce 500,000 square feet of excess facilities. Renovation projects and new facilities would remedy $200 million in deferred maintenance, said Dixon.
The limit undermines the school board's authority, according to Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), and hurts a plan that has taken 35 years to formulate.
Tom Melcher of the Dept. of Education said that the adopted language refers to bonds, when it actually should be referring to certificates of participation.
Because the conference committee report has been signed, the bill can no longer be amended, according to staff, and the best option for addressing any unintended impact is through a revisor's bill.
Stumpf also said the conference committee eliminated a wind energy subtraction that addressed equity issues. A study that education policy conference committee negotiations had removed from the education policy bill had been added to another finance bill, posing another jurisdictional issue, according to Stumpf, but is no longer included in any bill.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), met Thurs., Mar. 27, to began work on the division's omnibus budget proposal. The members began by reviewing the spreadsheet detailing appropriations and reductions, then turned their attention to the proposal's language. The panel also heard testimony from a variety of groups.
Fiscal Analyst Eric Nauman said the division had a reduction target of $892,000 and the proposal contains reductions of $894,000 below base. He said the reduction amounts to a 4 percent cut to the Dept. of Education. The bill also provides reciprocity with adjoining states, modifies districts' transition revenue, reduces the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement, increases the lease levy cap, alters general education aid, eliminates an unused disaster relief facilities grant for ISD #239, Rushford-Peterson, and limits the growth of Q comp until 2013.
In addition, the bill adopts ice hockey as the official sport of the state; establishes a virtual education program; provides for a growth-based value added system of assessments that measures the difference between an established baseline of growth and a student's growth over time; and provides for a coordinated comprehensive system of educational accountability and public reporting that promotes greater academic achievement, preparation for higher academic education, preparation for the world of work and citizenship. The measure also provides for teacher licensure via portfolio, requires school district plans to improve student's academic achievement, establishes an advisory task force on improving students' academic achievement, and provides grants for the virtual education program, the mathematics and science teacher centers and institutes, the Minnesota Humanities Commission, the Minnesota Historical Society and the Principal's Leadership Institute.
The bill increases aid for traditional school breakfast aid and kindergarten milk, establishes an American Indian Education Committee, provides for an outdoor education working group, provides for developmental screening , establishes a State Advisory Board on Early Learning, makes E-12 education forecast adjustments and makes other funding adjustments.
Testimony on the measure focused primarily on limiting the growth of Q comp and student testing. Several speakers expressed gratitude that various programs received funding in the measure, especially the early childhood provisions. Jim Grathwol, representing the Minneapolis Public Schools, said, "The bill is lean, but not mean."
Members also reviewed provisions in the education policy bill assembled the previous evening. Stumpf said the panel would lay both measures over and resume deliberations at an evening hearing.
At the evening hearing, members considered one substantive amendment to the finance bill. Offered by Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), the amendment permits school boards to waive, by majority vote, a requirement that funds be set aside in a reserve account for staff development. Hann said the amendment offers districts greater funding flexibility. Jan Alswager, Education Minnesota, spoke against the amendment, saying current law gives districts flexibility if the board negotiates with teachers. All the amendment does is cut out the teachers, she said. The amendment was not adopted. S.F. 3631, the education funding bill, carried by Stumpf, was then advanced to the full Finance Committee.
After completing the funding bill, members returned to the omnibus policy bill, S.F. 3001, sponsored by Sen. Charles Wiger (DFL-Maplewood). Hann offered an amendment relating to family and sex education, similar to an amendment he had previously and unsuccessfully offered to the bill. Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls.) opposed the amendment, saying considerable work had already gone into the sex education provisions and a last-minute amendment was inappropriate. The amendment was not adopted, on a divided voice vote.
Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) offered an amendment relating to school district responsibilities regarding students in treatment. She said the language had been in the bill before, but was removed because of concerns about a fiscal impact; further examination revealed no fiscal impact, she said. The amendment was adopted. Anderson also offered an amendment providing that districts cannot take away recess from elementary students as a form of discipline. Recess is the simplest and cheapest way to make sure that students get daily exercise and physical activity, Anderson said. I support teachers having the ability to discipline students in meaningful ways, she said, but "taking away recess is like taking away lunch." Hann spoke against the amendment, saying deciding whether denying recess is an appropriate discipline is for school boards. The amendment was adopted.
An amendment removing a proposed physical education graduation requirement was offered by Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury). Schools are already stretched to the limit, she said, and parents and schools need the ability to make academic choices. It is very important that we encourage physical activity in schools, especially to prevent and combat childhood obesity, Torres Ray said. The amendment was not adopted. Saltzman offered an alternative amendment permitting school districts to grant a waiver of the physical education requirement, upon written request of a student's parents. The amendment was adopted. Members also adopted an amendment, offered by Sen. Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista), adding a provision designating hockey as the state sport.
S.F. 3001 was advanced to the Finance Committee.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), worked through amendments to an E-12 education miscellaneous policy bill, Wed., Mar. 26. S.F. 3001 is sponsored by Sen. Charles Wiger (DFL-Maplewood).
Small changes to student assessment proposals were okayed in an amendment sponsored by Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake).
The division removed the fiscal impact of PSEO changes, and standardized enrollment for online education program, offered in an amendment by Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids).
The division debated an amendment, offered by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt), removing transportation services contract requirements, including reporting requirements on the background and training of drivers, and a "right to refuse" proposal. Skogen said the section negatively affects rural districts with smaller fleets. Gaylon Lenz of the School Bus Association said the right to refuse proposal could put waiting children in danger, and the reporting language violates the privacy of private businesses. A representative of the Service Employees International Union said that the issue is about driver experience and the stability of the workforce. A representative of Education Minnesota said it opposes the amendment because the section helps districts get the best value and improves safety. The amendment failed on a divided voice vote.
Skogen came back later with compromise language that was adopted. The new amendment leaves in a recruitment and retention plan with fewer requirements, and puts the determination of whether a bus is safe to drive in the hands of a transportation supervisor.
The committee approved an amendment, offered by Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), allowing rural school districts to create a cooperative board at their own discretion to coordinate transportation services.
Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury) offered an amendment that sets minimums for assessment of reading instruction for new teachers and removes any fiscal impact. The Board of Teaching supported the amendment, which was adopted.
An amendment to remove language requiring school districts to offer responsible family life and sexuality education that is age appropriate and medically accurate to 7th through 12th graders failed on a tied voice vote. Amendment sponsor Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) said the provision is a mandate. Teacher Barb Anderson said the most widely used curricula was inappropriate and did not discourage sexual behavior. Sen. Claire Robling (R-Jordan) commented that most districts already meet the standards laid out in the bill, and it is not necessary.
Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls.) said it is important to ensure medically accurate information is taught in schools to counter images and misinformation in the media. In addition, Torres Ray said it is difficult for parents to provide the same education, particularly when English is not the parent's first language. Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud) said the bill centers control in local districts, which can determine their own policies and curriculum.
An amendment offered by Sen. Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista) establishes hockey as the official state sport. While the proposal has advanced to the floor in the Senate, the other body did not advance any bills designating official state symbols, Olson said. The division adopted the amendment.
The division approved an amendment, offered by Bonoff, to add a school janitor to a task force addressing the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products.
An amendment making changes to a special education task force, offered by Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), was approved.
Sen. Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton) offered, and members approved, an amendment removing a world class schools working group from the legislation.
Members resumed their consideration of the proposal at an evening hearing. Wergin offered an amendment removing a world-class schools vision statement from the bill. The provision contains good goals, but they should not be in statute, Wergin said. Rummel, chief proponent of the world-class schools provisions, said she understood the hesitation to have a vision statement in statute and that a resolution would be more appropriate. The amendment was adopted. Saxhaug offered, and members adopted, an amendment providing for a working group on outdoor education.
Wiger offered an amendment repealing a required report on community education. Wiger said the data contained in the report has proven unusable. The amendment was adopted. Wiger also offered an amendment requiring schools to set aside, from their safe schools levy revenue, at least $3 per student to pay costs for licensed school counselors, licensed school nurses, licensed school social workers, licensed school psychologists, and licensed alcohol and chemical dependency counselors to help provide early responses to problems. The amendment was not adopted.
Sen. Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield) offered an amendment adjusting staff development provisions in the bill. Several members expressed concern because the amendment addressed a purely policy matter. The amendment was defeated on a divided voice vote. Skogen offered an amendment deleting a provision permitting libraries that are not part of a regional library system to have access to the Electronic Library for Minnesota. Libraries should be encouraged to cooperate with each other and join a regional system, he said. Wiger said the policy committee had a full discussion of the proposal and decided to support allowing independent libraries to have access. The amendment failed on a divided voice vote.
After completing their consideration of amendments, members laid S.F. 3001 over. Stumpf said the bill would be stripped of all provisions with fiscal consequences and advanced, at the next meeting, as a policy-only bill to the full Finance Committee. Provisions with fiscal consequences will be amended into the division's budget reconciliation recommendations, he said.
Members of the E-12 Education Budget Division met Wed., Mar. 19, to begin consideration of the omnibus education policy bill, S.F. 3001. Carried by Sen. Charles Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), the bill touches on a variety of education topics, including education standards, teacher preparation, school transportation and special education. Members reviewed the proposal and heard from representatives of stakeholders on the bill's provisions. Division Chair LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer) said a decision had not been made on whether the bill would advance separately, in whole or in part, or would be subsumed into an omnibus budget proposal to be assembled next week.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), met Tues., Mar. 18, to consider bills ranging from district borrowing authority to teachers' licensure.
S.F. 2409, carried by Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan), authorizes an intermediate school district to borrow in anticipation of revenue payments. The measure specifies borrowing limitations and sets forth repayment conditions for the school districts. S.F. 3763, sponsored by Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls.), modifies duties of school superintendents relating to reporting requirements for anticipated expenditures and student passage rates.
S.F. 3708, authored by Sen. Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista), provides for teacher licensure via portfolio and outlines the application content and fee requirements for candidates seeking licensure. Under the bill, a candidate for initial licensure must submit one portfolio demonstration pedagogical competence and one portfolio demonstrating content competence consistent with the applicable Board of Teaching licensure rules.
S.F. 2506, carried by Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), restores wind energy payments to school districts. S.F. 1976, authored by Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), establishes a grant program to help communities promote, practice and cultivate positive child and youth development.
All of the bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the division's omnibus bill.
Members of the E-12 Education Budget Division met Thurs., Mar. 13, to review the governor's supplemental budget proposal and a measure appropriating funds for the Minnesota Learning Resource Center. Both bills were laid over for further consideration.
S.F. 3631, carried by Division Chair LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), contains the governor's budget recommendations. Deputy Commissioner Chas Anderson and other staff from the Dept. of Education walked members through the package. The proposal focuses on teacher quality, school leadership and innovative learning, Anderson said. She said it adopts three strategies to increase the supply of highly effective teachers: retraining current teachers, recruiting high-quality professionals from other fields, and retaining the state's most effective teachers. To promote school leadership, the proposal funds the Principals' Leadership Institute. In the area of innovative learning, the bill provides for the development of an online teaching tool offering model online courses.
S.F. 3092, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake), authorizes a grant to the Minnesota Learning Resource Center to support its comprehensive training program for education professionals charged with helping children acquire learning readiness skills.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), heard two bills related to education standards and a brief review of the appropriation tracking sheet for the governor's supplemental education budget recommendations, Wed., Mar. 12. Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education finance bill.
The first bill heard, S.F. 382, requires high school students to participate in one term of physical education as a state graduation standard. Bill sponsor Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) offered an amendment to remove language including health education as well, a combination he said he has been unsuccessfully trying to pass for five years.
Dr. John Sirard of the University of Minnesota's epidemiology and community health division spoke of the growing obesity rates in the U.S., and especially among children. Scientists are seeing increasing rates of diseases in children, such as Type 2 Diabetes, usually seen in adults, said Sirard.
The division debated whether a half credit of physical education would have any effect on the health of students, and whether the requirement would place a burden on student athletes trying to integrate other subjects into their schedules.
Tomassoni said this was a minimum standard, and that physical activity in the school day also benefits learning.
Grace Schwab of the Minnesota School Board Association said that the requirement would be one of a number of requirements that reduce parent and student choices. In addition, Schwab said the association would be gathering information on the fiscal impact at the local level.
S.F. 2051, sponsored by Sen. John Doll (DFL-Burnsville), requires school districts to report evidence of achievement in all subjects not measured by a state test, i.e. the arts, physical education and social studies. Testimony focused on the value of standards for arts education. Doll said current law requires districts to check a box stating that arts education exists, but provides no opportunity for districts to evaluate strengths and weaknesses.
Schwab said the reporting required by the bill could be very challenging for small rural districts.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), considered five education funding proposals, Tues., Mar. 11. All bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education finance bill.
S.F. 3355, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-St. Paul), allows a school district to hold a referendum on a day other than the general election if the district's general fund falls to three percent of operating costs. These referenda are currently allowed for districts that are operating in statutory operating debt, 2.5 percent below operating costs, she said. Rest said the measure would allow schools, specifically the Robbinsdale school district, to do something before entering statutory operating debt.
S.F. 2834, sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), increases lease levy authority from $100 to $150 per pupil. Twenty-one school districts in the state have lease costs over $100 a pupil, and only two had received approval from the commissioner to exceed the limit. The rate has been $100 for at least ten years, said fiscal analyst Eric Nauman.
S.F. 3204, sponsored by Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), creates a new category for receiving integration aid, providing $445 per pupil to districts with 50 percent or higher protected population numbers, which mirrors the payments to St. Paul and Minneapolis. For districts between 15 and 50 percent, the rate is $129 per pupil, under the bill. Scheid said the bill targets just a few first ring suburbs with comparable diversity populations to the Twin Cities, which receive less funding, namely Brooklyn Center, and possibly Richfield and Columbia Heights. In addition, the bill allows districts to levy for statutory operating debt up to $200,000 or one percent of the districts adjusted net tax capacity, whichever is less. The levy proceeds could only be used for cash flow purposes, under the bill.
S.F. 3420, sponsored by Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester), increases the reimbursement rate for half-pints of milk served to kindergarten students, but not as part of a school lunch or breakfast. The rate is increased from 14 cents to 21 cents under the bill. Elaine Keefe, representing the Minnesota School Nutrition Association, said that when the reimbursement rate for schools no longer covers the cost of milk, schools drop out of the program rather than pick up the remainder.
Stumpf rounded out the presentations with S.F. 2149. The bill extends payments of capital facility bonds over a 15 year term rather than the current 10 year term. The proposal allows districts to save money on lower rate bonds versus using 15 year lease-payment agreements with higher rates, said Stumpf.
The E-12 Education Budget Division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), heard grant proposals and state aid modification bills, Wed., Mar. 5. The bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the education finance omnibus bill.
S.F. 3244, sponsored by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt), provides $400,000 for a grant to the Principals' Leadership Institute, a staff development program for principals. Funding for the program expired last year, said Skogen.
S.F. 2669, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake), increases state aid compensation for early childhood screenings. Tammy Dunrud, assistant coordinator of Forest Lake Area Schools, said that the program ran a deficit last year, drawing money from other programs. Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud) said that creating incentives for early screening should be a priority.
S.F. 3436, sponsored by Sen. John Doll (DFL-Burnsville), appropriates $200,000 to the Minnesota Historical Society to provide content based professional development and curriculum development to teachers. The grant would continue to fund professional development workshops throughout the state, said the education outreach program director of the Historical Society.
S.F. 2964, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls.), increases rates for adult basic education aid. The bill limits grants to a single organization to 15 percent of the total supplemental services aid and adjusts the growth of state total adult basic education aid for fiscal years beyond 2008. The proposal is intended to help recruit skilled workers in the field, said Torres Ray. The bill also increases the dollar amount the state may pay toward GED test fees from $20 to $40.
S.F. 3312, also sponsored by Rummel, provides $400,000 to the Minnesota Humanities Center in FY 2009 for professional development and curriculum supplements available to teachers in the humanities, such as language, history, civics and literature. Stanley Romanstein, president of the Minnesota Humanities Center, said funding could develop podcasts available to the many young teachers throughout the state demanding web access to staff development resources.
The E-12 Education Budget Division heard fund transfer proposals and a few clean up bills, Tues., Mar. 4. The division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer) laid the eight bills over for possible inclusion in an omnibus education finance bill.
ISD #411-Balaton may transfer up to $70,000 from its operating capital account to its undesignated general fund under S.F. 2514. The proposal, authored by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (R-New Ulm), would help cover one year of expenses until a referendum became available, explained a representative of the school district.
Blasting from a nearby mining operation is to blame for a bowed wall in a school in ISD #706-Virginia, said bill sponsor Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm). S.F. 3249 transfers up to $100,000 from a debt redemption fund to the district's general fund for repairs, without making a levy reduction.
Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick) sponsored S.F. 2868, transferring up to $300,000 from the capital fund to the general operating fund of ISD #2580-East Central. The school is four years old and needs minimal maintenance and repairs, said Superintendent Jeff Peura. Instead, Peura explained, the money would become part of a plan to resolve the district's debt in the next two years.
ISD #671 Hills-Beaver Creek has upgraded their 1920's school building for disabled access and now wants to transfer the $260,000 remainder of the disabled accessibility fund into the health and safety fund and the general fund according to Superintendent David Deragisch. In addition, S.F. 3344, sponsored by Sen. Jim Vickerman(DFL-Tracy), authorizes a $100,000 transfer from the capital expense account to the district's general fund.
S.F. 2801, sponsored by Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester), makes a technical correction. A fund balance penalty exception given to ISD #2899-Plainview-Elgin-Millville community education fund after a consolidation gave an aid adjustment but did not take into account the corresponding levy adjustment.
A school district that operates and maintains an ice arena may levy for 100 percent of operating costs under S.F. 2371, authored by Sen. Charles Wiger (DFL-Maplewood). The bill affects nine school districts in the state, said Wiger. In 2003, the limit was reduced to 90 percent as aid was reduced and shifted to levy obligation, explained Wiger. Since then, the percent has been restored for rental property and other facilities, but has yet to be restored to district-operated ice arenas.
Another disability access fund transfer is authorized by S.F. 2379. ISD #750-Rocori has completed all their access projects, leaving $82,000 in the fund, according to bill sponsor Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud). The money would be transferred for three capital investment projects, said Superintendent Scott Staska.
S.F. 2678, sponsored by Stumpf, replaces about $80,000 in lost sparcity aid to ISD #356-Lancaster with transitional aid. The sparcity aid was reduced when a neighboring school district shifted facilities, explained Stumpf, throwing the district's budget out of balance.
A proposal to increase the basic education formula allowance and special education aid was the centerpiece of the Wed., Feb. 27, meeting of the E-12 Education Budget Division. The panel, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), laid the measure aside for further consideration.
S.F. 3125, authored by Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids), increases the basic formula allowance to $5,226 in FY 09, fully funds the special education aid allowance and reduces special education excess cost aid. Fiscal Analyst Eric Nauman said the bill, in FY 08, adds $106 million to the general education entitlement, adds $108 million to the special education entitlement, and saves almost $34 million in the special education excess cost entitlement. The appropriations impact is projected to be $162 million in new FY 09 spending and $455 million in new FY 10-11 spending, Nauman said.
Representatives of several education groups spoke in favor of the measure. Last year's education bill was good, but it was not enough, said Scott Croonquist, Association of Metropolitan School Districts. A lot of last year's money was one-time money, he said, which does not address ongoing problems. The additional special education funding was simply a restoration of previous cuts, he said. Once the one-time money and special education dollars are factored out, Croonquist said, the increases in education funding were about three percent in FY 08 and less than one percent in FY 09. Without the kind of funding in S.F. 3125, schools will see significant layoffs next year, he said. Without this bill, we are looking at even higher stakes in the coming referendum season, said Brad Lundell, Schools for Equity in Education. Districts with failed referenda saw massive cuts this year, he said, and those cuts will be dwarfed by the cuts that are likely to come without significant investment. We need a funding system that meets our students' needs, Lundell said.
This bill is the hope for schools, said Mary Cecconi, Parents United. Districts are ending many activities in middle schools this year, she said, and next year the program cuts will extend to the high schools. Other districts are no longer offering foreign languages and AP classes, she said. Districts have done all they can, Cecconi said, including spending their fund balances, making cuts for a decade, working to pass levies and marketing for new students. In addition, parents have formed foundations, held bake sales, and become savvy campaigners, she said. There is no more to be done at the local level, she said, schools need state help. The bargain with schools has been that the state was going to take care of the basics, and the schools would seek levy authority for additional programs, she said. However, a consistent theme throughout levy referendum appeals since 2001 has been maintenance, not growth, she said.
Division members also heard a report from Minnesota's Promise, a partnership of education and civic organizations formed to craft a clear and compelling vision of the future of public education. The report identified ten essential elements of a high-performing educational system: early childhood education, educator quality, academic rigor, family and community involvement, multicultural community, data and research, funding, time, special education, and health and wellness. According to the report, every level of education-the state, school districts and individual schools-must have a clear understanding of the role it plays in helping students succeed, of how its efforts reinforce what happens at the other levels, and of how to build on prior activity.
The full report is available online at http://www.minnesotaspromise.org/publications/documents/MNpromise_final-1-25.pdf.
The E-12 Education Budget Committee, chaired by Sen. Larry Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), heard a cooperative facility grant bonding proposal and two bills addressing the repeal of a school trust fund deduction, Tues. Feb. 26.
S.F. 2951, authored by Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona), directs $20 million in bond revenues for a cooperative facility grant to build a new school in the Rushford-Peterson School District. Flooding in August hurt the town's tax base and damaged the high school building, said Erickson Ropes. The high school building was built in 1906, according to Superintendent Chuck Ehler, and had accessibility and air quality issues before the flood. A referendum in 2002 failed, said Ehler. The bill was re-referred to the Capital Investment Committee.
Sen. Charles Wiger (DFL-St. Paul) presented two bills addressing the school trust fund deduction. The first, S.F. 2422, repeals the deduction. The K-12 land trust holds 2.5 million land acres and one million acres in mineral resources, according to Grace Schwab, Minnesota School Boards Association. Revenue from management of that land is deposited into the trust fund for investment and interest accrual. Interest from the fund is then distributed to school districts. Current law requires that for every dollar a district receives from the fund, a dollar is subtracted from the general fund allotment, explained Wiger. Repealing that deduction would cost about $27 million in 2009, according to fiscal analyst Eric Nauman.
Wiger's second bill, S.F. 2392, would direct that deduction into technology upgrades and investments in the schools.
Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) recommended allowing school districts to determine where the money should go, rather than directing it specifically to technology.
Discussion also touched on how the state could maximize return from the lands and mineral resources.
S.F. 2422 was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus education bill. The committee took no action on S.F. 2392.
Commissioner Alice Seagren presented the governor's education proposals to the E-12 Education Budget Division Thurs. Feb, 21. The division, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL- Plummer), joined the commissioner in focusing discussion on teacher development in the math and sciences.
Seagren described plans for math and science academies and institutes for teachers to improve professional development and content knowledge, respectively. The professional focus would complement new math and science standards, said Seagren.
Alternative pathways into teaching were also discussed by the committee. Seagren commented on the potential of inviting industry professionals to enter teaching during or after successful careers in other fields and bringing their expertise into the classroom after training in pedagogy.
Attracting the brightest students to pursue teaching in college is another priority for the governor. Seagren explained ideas to identify exceptional college students and encourage them to consider teaching. She commented on the rigorous standards that potential teachers must meet in other countries, such as Japan.
The final proposal Seagren presented is a statewide Digital Toolbox for teachers and students. The online resource would create a "legacy of experience" for teachers around the state to access curriculums and ideas. Sen. Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) commented that capturing the curriculum of inspiring teachers in her own life would have been an invaluable gift for future students.
Stumpf concluded the conversation by addressing continuing challenges to the state, particularly in rural districts, including declining enrollment, failed referendums, closing schools and consolidation.
The E-12 Education Budget Division devoted the first hearing of the session, Tues., Feb. 19, to consideration of several bonding requests. The panel, chaired by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), will send its recommendations to the Capital Investment Committee for further action.
S.F. 2682, carried by Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt), appropriates $10 million for library accessibility and improvement grants. S.F. 2360, sponsored by Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), appropriates $3 million for a grant to ISD #279, Osseo, for the Northwest Hennepin Family Center in Brooklyn Center. The bill specifies that at least an equal amount must be committed from nonstate sources.
Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) carried a bill, S.F. 2603, authorizing funds for the Perpich Center for Arts Education. The measure appropriates a total of $999,000 with $206,000 slated for an update to the master plan and predesign for capital project needs for the campus; $355,000 designated for asset preservation; $385,000 earmarked for window replacement in the Delta dorm and $53,000 slated for installation of a prefabricated storage and workshop building.
Four bills relating to the state academies in Faribault were carried by Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna). S.F. 2584 appropriates $2.716 million for asset preservation on both Minnesota State Academies and S.F. 2624 appropriates $3.301 million for the renovation of Mott Hall on the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf campus. Day said both measures were included in the governor's bonding recommendations. In addition, S.F. 2774 appropriates $200,000 to facilitate a day treatment center for deaf and hard-of-hearing children with mental health issues at the Pollard Hall on the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf campus. S.F. 2585 appropriates $100,000 to predesign the renovations of Frechette Hall on the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf campus. Members altered the placement of some of the dollar amounts to reflect priorities outlined by the director, Roxane Mitchell.
S.F. 1422, authored by Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), appropriates $240,000 from the maximum effort school loan fund for a capital loan to ISD #11, Anoka-Hennepin, to acquire land adjacent to Riverview Elementary School and for improvements of a capital nature to develop and restore wetland and native prairie habitat on the land. Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) sponsored a measure, S.F. 2608, appropriating $200,000 for a cooperative facilities grant to ISD #2134, United South Central.
S.F. 2548, carried by Sen. Dan Sparks (DFL-Austin), appropriates $950,000 for a grant to ISD #242, Alden-Conger, for a new multifunction facility in Alden to provide various services to all age groups. Several division members, while supportive of the concept, said that the measure goes beyond the scope of the division's jurisdiction. Members approved a motion to change the bond amount to $180,000 to reflect the education portion of the request.
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