5/27/05
Growing school districts must continue to battle for student resources
Funding school districts is essential for suburban legislators who can control a block of votes to get funds needed to keep highly qualified teachers using up-to-date curriculum in well-equipped classrooms.,
Most enrollments in Minnesota schools are declining, but in third and fourth-ring suburbs, the growth is explosive. The funding that comes from new students doesnít arrive fast enough to build and equip schools and hire enough teachers. Since many legislators do not represent growing districts, itís up to the suburban legislators to focus attention and dollars on funding local needs.
Naturally, legislation that would provide fast-growing districts in property-poor districts should have the most support no matter what political party is proposing it.
While the House, the governor and the Senate plans all have more money for K-`2 education, the senateís has the most. Under the Senate plan, $800 million more dollars would go to schools in the next two years ñ 5 percent in the first year and 4 percent in the second.
The governorís plan has $470 million in new money and the House $622 million, 3 percent for each year of the biennium.
What plan is best depends on circumstances in each district. For example, the $4.2 million for compensatory aid (for students on free and reduced lunch) in the House bill for the biennium is badly needed by the Anoka-Hennepin school district.
The DFL-backed Senate plan would raise some of the money by increasing the top tier of the income tax, which is opposed by Governor Pawlenty.
The House plan as well as the Governorís proposal depends upon money from gambling, which is unlikely to pass. Without funds from casinos, House members would have to delay and shift payments to schools or cut spending somewhere else.
Equally alarming, the House bill proposes that at least $100 million be raised through property taxes, which could widen the disparities in funding between the have and have-not districts. The House would increase the cap on amount of funds that can be levied by referendum, a good feature.
As the two plans head into conference committees from where the real legislation will emerge, itís important that more funding for early childhood, gifted and talented and special education be part of the final package.
Legislators particularly from growing suburban districts, know they must obtain needed funds to avoid school boards having to lay off more teachers, charge more fees, cut out more programs and make kids walk longer distances.
This move for the most funding possible for K-12 education should not be viewed as a suburban-versus-urban or suburban-versus out-state issue. It should be viewed as suburban legislators representing fast-growing districts battling for resources for students who are plunged into schools that are crowded and have growing class sizes.
Parents who have the most at stake should call or write their legislators today to stiffen the backbones and vote for a tax increase if necessary. -- Don Heinzman
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