Minnesota House, Senate Focus on Education Funding and Bipartisan Solutions
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Minnesota House, Senate Focus on Education Funding and Bipartisan Solutions

By March 16, 2025 No Comments

Last Week in Summary

The power dynamic has once again shifted in the House, hopefully for the last time this session. DFLer David Gottfried won the special election in House District 40B last Tuesday, and is expected to be sworn in on March 17. House committees will now be co-chaired and have equally split membership. The one exception being the Fraud Prevention Committee which will stay under Republican control.  Co-chairs will alternate the gavel and agenda setting power daily. With shared control, House members will need to find a path for bipartisan bills considering the limited time left. First and second bill deadlines are on April 4, and third deadline landed on April 11 – the day before the weeklong Easter/Passover break.

The Senate continues their work in committees, with most bills being laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus.

House Education Finance

In Tuesday’s House Ed. Finance Committee, House Research walked the committee through the change items in the February Forecast, most notably that the basic education allowance had increased to 2.74% for the next fiscal year, up from November’s estimate of 2.3%. The committee reviewed the levy tracking sheet, and House research reminded members that they need to maintain a zero levy impact as part of their budget target. Compensatory revenue was also reviewed. It was noted that schools are concerned about compensatory revenue changes.

Thursday’s committee reviewed three proposals that would fund various teacher apprenticeship programs, with the goal of addressing teacher shortages and building the profession. These programs are very formal labor management organizations. Some target SPED teachers, some more general classroom teachers (HF 846, 1538, and 1959). HF 1959 was also heard earlier in the week in Ed. Policy, and was laid over in Thursday’s hearing.

House Research also gave a presentation on teacher recruitment programs, providing context for legislators considering potential policies and programs to recruit more elementary and secondary school teachers into the field. The presentation summarized licensure requirements and programs established and funded by the legislature in recent years.

House Education Policy

Tuesday’s House Ed. Policy Committee heard HF 630, a bill authored by Rep. Mueller (R-Austin) calling to extend the short-call substitute teacher pilot program by two years, to 2027. Kristin Dehmer, Asst. Supt. of Business and Administrative Services for Moorhead Area Public Schools and MREA member, testified on behalf of the bill and the amendment, which removes the $200 requirement for the program. Districts have said the $200 requirement creates conflict and hinders them from using the program because they may not be paying other substitute teachers outside of the program that same rate. In her testimony, Dehmer shared that (although a good problem to have) the low unemployment rates in Moorhead have made it even more difficult to find substitute teachers, with their district’s average fill rate for classrooms between 60 and 65%. She emphasized how the short-call substitute teacher program gives them the broader options they desperately need when dealing with the teacher shortage. The bill was re-referred to the Ed. Finance committee. 

Wednesday’s committee heard HF 1607, a bill that would expand the types of experiences that districts may count toward the minimum hours of instruction for secondary school students. This bill had bipartisan support, as both parties agreed it would give students more opportunities to learn skills and trades in engaging and innovative ways. Representatives plan to continue the conversation and improve the bill as it moves forward. The bill was referred to the Ed. Finance committee.

Senate Education Finance

Tuesday’s Senate Ed. Finance Committee heard bills on two of MREA’s priorities: school district seasonal tax base replacement, and long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) program updates. SF 1198, authored by Sen. Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), proposes to modify the LTFM program to authorize school districts to include roof repair and replacement costs totaling $100,000 or more in the district’s annual LTFM revenue authority. For most districts, this authority would increase revenues available for roof repair and replacement and free up money for reallocation toward other deferred maintenance projects. Testifiers in support of the bill complained of extreme delays in roof repairs due to funding issues, with some schools reporting over 12 leaks after a recent snow storm. The bill was laid over.

SF 1197, also authored by Sen. Hauschild, would create a new aid program to lower school district tax rates in areas with many seasonal recreational properties. It would reduce voter-approved school tax levies by up to 50% in eligible districts. The bill also adjusts the definition of general education aid and provides additional funding to cover the costs. Gina Kleive, Superintendent of Lake Superior school district and MREA member, testified on behalf of the bill. Kleive emphasized how it would be a game changer for rural schools, and would ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed. SF 1197 was referred to the Senate Tax committee for further review.

SF 1460, authored by Sen. Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley), authorizes a school board to renew an expiring capital projects referendum that had initially been authorized by school district voters. The bill was amended and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. 

The final bill heard on Tuesday, SF 2244, authored by Sen. Kupec (DFL-Moorhead), would increase school district tax relief. The proposal would generate additional referendum equalization aid and would increase state general education aid beginning in fiscal year 2027. This bill was also laid over.

Senate Education Policy

In Ed. Policy, Senator Cwodzinski (DFL-Eden Prairie) introduced SF 1336, a bill allowing a school year to start before Labor Day for two school years, if a district so chooses. Resort owners and members of the Community of Minnesota Resorts came to testify against the bill. Testifiers expressed concerns that if districts were allowed to begin their school years in August, families would be less likely to take vacations in August, and resorts could miss out on one third of their summer revenue. Supporters of the bill say the shorter time between school years would prevent the inevitable learning loss that happens with the extended break. Sen. Cwodzinski reminded the committee that this is not a mandate, but rather would give more local control to districts. The bill was also laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Education Committees & Schedules

Rural Education Achievement Program Grant Award Webinars
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