Tag: House Education Finance Committee

House Education Finance Committee advances summer learning package

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA  – The evening of March 16, the House Education Finance Committee advanced a measure to fund a summer learning package for Minnesota students from cradle to career.

“House DFLers support strong investments in education, starting with funding for summer learning,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We need to help our children and students recover from a difficult year and then thrive once this pandemic is behind us. All Minnesota children deserve a world-class education and every opportunity to succeed. We intend to pass this bill off the House floor next week.”

“The House DFL is taking swift action to get this money out early so families can finalize summer plans, and school districts and community partners can begin planning,” said Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis), chair of the House Education Finance Committee. “We have a comprehensive summer learning package detailed in our bill that reaches all learners in Minnesota, from children enrolled in summer preschool, to high school seniors making the transition to college, to adult learners who are looking to re-enter the labor market with sharper skills. These funds can be utilized through the 2022 school year, as well. This is a sound investment to help get our students back on track.”

The bill addresses learning loss by expanding access to tutoring, investing in field trips and hands-on learning, and implementing summer programs for preschoolers, high schoolers, and adult basic education. 

“Minnesota is home to some of the worst disparities in the nation,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), chair of the House Education Policy Committee. “We know these have existed long before the pandemic, but now have a real opportunity to level the playing field and make significant progress in addressing the opportunity gap head on with this bill. All of our students deserve the support they need to be successful and thrive.”

The measure also funds student mental health support. A key provision in the legislation prioritizes school districts that have experienced declining enrollment. 

The bill’s next stop is the House Ways and Means Committee. More information and materials will be available on the committee’s webpage.

House Education Finance Committee holds hearing to discuss extending free and reduced-price lunch eligibility deadline

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the House Education Finance Committee held a remote informational hearing to review a proposal that would give an extension to school districts during the current pandemic to collect forms from families for free and reduced lunch. Currently, the deadline is December 15. The proposed legislation would move it to January 4, 2021. A copy of the draft proposal can be found here.

“With distance and hybrid learning coupled with changes to school structures, it’s been more challenging to connect with families about eligibility for free and reduced-price lunches,” said Chair Davnie.  “At the same time we know that the pandemic recession has hit many families hard.” 

The committee heard supportive testimony from the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Independent School Forum, Ed Allies, Hunger Solutions, Schools for Equity and Education, and the Minnesota School Board Association. All organizations stressed the urgency to act due to the challenges families are experiencing accessing and returning the application forms for free or reduced price lunch. 

The bill is expected to be taken up on the House Floor during Monday’s special session. Supporting materials can be found on the committee’s website.

House Education Finance Chair introduces bill to protect school funding amid declining enrollments

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SAINT PAUL, Minn. – House Education Finance Chair Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced legislation this week that stabilizes school funding as COVID-19 creates uncertainty for students, families, and schools. It does this by authorizing the use of the prior year’s pupil count for the 2020-2021 school year funding formulas. 

“School districts around the state are experiencing an unprecedented variation in their enrollment numbers due to the pandemic,” said Chair Davnie. “Our schools are our community safety nets – they ensure that students are prepared for a successful future through meeting their needs as they grow and develop. In order to deliver on that healthy future, the legislature needs to provide school districts with as much support as possible right now and this bill will help do that.”

Rep. Davnie’s legislation would add temporary stability to districts’ bottom lines to keep supports flowing to students and would ensure districts can maintain current programs and current staffing levels.

“We are down 216 students to home school and 20 more to post-secondary enrollment options (PSEO) than in a normal year,” said Menahga School Board Chair Andrea Haverinen. “This will equate to a $2.5 million loss in revenue on a $11.5 million budget and is nearly a 22% loss in revenue for Menahga. If we are forced to go to all distance learning, we anticipate these numbers will nearly double. Menahga’s enrollment has been rising in the past years, and this is the first year in many that our numbers have declined.”

Legislators reconvened for a fifth special session on Monday. Rep. Davnie’s legislation awaits a remote public committee hearing.

House Education Finance Committee Reviews Safe School Plan; Federal Funds for MN Public Schools

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the House Education Finance Committee held a remote hearing to review Governor Walz’s executive order requiring local school districts to establish a safe learning plan for the upcoming school year. In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), school districts will create their plans for either a hybrid, distance learning, or in-class model based on what best fits that individual district’s student population, and the viral presence in each county. A copy of the Safe Learning Plan 2020-21 can be found here.

“The safety, wellness, and health of our students, families, and educators is at the forefront of the plan for schools as the virus evolves and the legislature continues to partner with MDE and MDH,” said House Education Finance Committee Chair Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis). “The long-lasting impacts this pandemic will have in underserved communities will call leaders at every level to focus resources to meet the educational, and social and emotional developmental needs of children. At the same time districts will need to work to meet the nutrition and mental health needs of children in their communities.”

The committee also discussed previous and proposed federal funding to help districts navigate the pandemic’s impacts on public schools from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act/CRF). $38.1 million has been allocated in federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds to eight regions across the state. $140.1 million is available from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. Of these funds, 60% will be dedicated to operational costs that include increased cleaning, testing, and transportation adjustments. 40% will be allocated for student, family, and educator needs to assist with mental health, translation, digital supports and more. Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Education is applying for $256 million in CRF funds that will address operating costs, PPE supplies for schools, and funding for COVID rapid testing for school staff. 

Materials from the Minnesota Department of Education and Health related to the Safe Learning Plan can be found on the committee’s website.

Minnesota House Education Finance Committee Advances Bill to Support Hourly School Workers

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee voted to advance the COVID-19 response legislation for hourly school workers. The bill’s next stop is the House Ways and Means Committee.

A summary of the legislation is available on the committee’s website. Among other things, the legislation provides for compensation for hourly school employees, and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services such as school bus operators to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices as a result of COVID-19 related school closures, and the conversion to distance learning programs.

The bill provides some school finance formula flexibility needed from the conversion to the distance learning model. The bill also creates and legislatively approves certain waivers of state law regarding assessments, graduation and course requirements, and potential licensure issues faced by prospective and current teachers. Continue reading “Minnesota House Education Finance Committee Advances Bill to Support Hourly School Workers”

Education Finance Committee Approves Bipartisan Suicide Prevention Training for Teachers Bill

Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 17

SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL, Mendota Heights) presented legislation (H.F. 813) in the Education Finance Committee to fund suicide prevention training for Minnesota teachers in every school district, charter school, intermediate school district, service cooperative, and tribal school in Minnesota. Under the bill, a nationally recognized provider of evidence-based training on suicide prevention would offer online training for teachers on suicide prevention and engaging students experiencing mental distress.

“We are facing a serious public health crisis in our communities and schools,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson. “We know suicide is preventable and that this public health crisis requires a community-based response. Given the amount of time our kids spend at school, a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention has to start with teachers.”

Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 17.

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future education finance division report. Sen. Carla Nelson (R, Rochester) has authored companion legislation in the Senate.