DFL touted increased K-12 spending in 2023, admits K-12 School District deficits in 2025
CBS reported that "A large K-12 education funding package that includes a $2.2 billion boost for schools is on its way to Gov. Tim Walz's desk for signature. It includes indexing the per pupil formula funding to the rate of inflation in future years—capped at 3%—with a boost of 4% next fiscal year and 2% the following year. There's additional money to cover some of costs for special education programs, recruit more teachers of color and hire more school psychologists."
Later, CBS, aka WCCO, reported "Democrats praised the bill as a 'transformational' investment in education not seen before in the legislature." The fact that the bill was met with such jubilation says everything about the DFL's K-12 priorities.
Fast forward to today's K-12 budget. KSTP is reporting that "Members of both Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools, as well as others across Minnesota, took a look at their numbers to understand what the finalized state budget deal means for their bottom lines. In Minneapolis, the district will be cutting 400 full-time employment positions, with 116 of them being teachers. The district faces a $75 million shortfall. St. Paul’s new budget will address a $51 million shortfall, with 143 positions being eliminated, and 18 employees will be laid off. The district says that class sizes will not change." Sen. Jason Rarick highlights one of the biggest drivers of K-12 eduation funding in this interview:
Because the DFL ties so much funding to their mandates, the DFL doesn't give professional educators enough flexibility. Further, the DFL doesn't see this as a problem. Across the state, professional educators are advocating for budget flexibility. Meanwhile, Education Minnesota is advocating for the failed status quo.If you want to improve K-12 education, it's essential that you vote against the status quo DFL. It's that simple.
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