The House and Senate are progressing very different Omnibus E-12 bills both in terms of funding and policy. This week during the legislative recess provides a key opportunity for you to connect with legislators to share the effects of their proposals. Find your legislators.
The funding difference between the House’s $900 million and Senate’s $207 million is only part of the story. There will be much education-related negotiations required to get to the finish line.
View side-by-side comparison by key issues.
Formal conference committee negotiations will need to wait for the leadership negotiations among Gov. Tim Walz, House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka to resolve tax targets, the gas tax, overall spending targets and major policy issues. Learn more.
View the differences on E-12 funding and policy at a glance.
If you have specific questions on funding or policy, contact MREA Executive Director Fred Nolan at fred@mreavoice.org.
House and Senate E-12 Omnibus Bills at a Glance:
House (HF 2400) |
Senate (SF 7) |
Funding: $900 million
Basic Formula Allowance 3% in FY ’20 to $6,501 and 2% in FY ’21 to $6,631 SPED: $120 million to “freeze” cross subsidy Continues the 4,000 School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) seats to lose funding June 30 Increases what was Tier 2 Operating Referendum equalization from $510,000 per RPU to $650,000 per RPU Increases Safe Schools aid and levies to $45 per pupil in FY ’20 and $54 in FY ‘21 Starts another round of Support staff six year declining grants for $10 million each year Funds a new “breakfast after the bell’ program for $4.3 million in ’20 and $5.8 million ‘21 Funds recruiting and retaining teachers of color $3 million in FY ’20 and $4 million in FY ‘21 Many grants are extended or begun View Impact of House Proposal by District More Details & Impact |
Funding: $206 million
Basic Formula Allowance: ½% in FY ’20 to $6,343 and ½% in FY ’21 to $6,375 $38 per pupil increase in safe schools aid for FY ’20 and ’21 only SPED: $0 above forecasted amounts Many grants, some discontinuations View Impact of Senate Proposal by District
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Taxes, Broadband & Paid FMLA
Raises $1.2 billion primarily on corporate federal tax conformity and foreign earnings Repeals transfers from General Fund to Highway fund, $230 million annually Adds $0.20 to gas tax over two years Increases Ag Bond Credit to 70% -$30 million in FY ’21, $81 m in ’22 & ‘23 $70 million for broadband Paid FMLA with 0.65% payroll tax. Learn more
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Taxes & Broadband
No changes to transportation Senate Tax Omnibus bill is not released yet but announced to not raise net revenue $30 million for broadband |
Policy
Ability to start school before Labor Day for 20-21 and 21-22 Special education paperwork reduction Students with IEP’s may participate in ADSIS Long Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) revenue may be used for facility safety enhancements—no additional levy allowance Member districts of Cooperatives may use additional $65 in lease levy and LTFM for instructional cooperative facilities Dyslexia screenings required Non-exclusionary discipline required Significant changes to Tiered License system ABE and ECFE teachers are included in continuing contract (tenure) statutes Early Learning teachers including school readiness must be licensed within the Tier system this fall. Persons serving as teachers in ’18-19 must be licensed by July 1, 2024 Sexual health education required, topics defined, models to be provided Lead in water and Radon testing, notification, and remediation required Respectful meal policies required, districts cannot limit students’ participation in any school activity due to unpaid lunch debt
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Policy
School boards, not the Commissioner approve flexible learning year plans Some SPED paperwork reductions Districts may offer credit for demonstrated student competencies CTE teachers, full and part-time, who demonstrate occupational competency are exempt from teacher licensing requirements Districts are not required to join a Telecom Cluster to receive Telecom aid from 1st dollar Military recruiters to have same access to students as postsecondary institutions Schools must report preliminary MCA reports to parents within 30 days of testing and again with validated results before school begins Districts must have policy on threat assessment Districts must have school meal policy that is reasonable and prohibits lunch shaming |
