Schools Advocating for Fair Funding

Topic: Education

Lawmakers reach agreement on education funding, warn of future cuts

An agreement would fund Minnesota schools with $25.73 billion in the 2026-27 biennium, an increase of about $4.2 million. However, it also calls for a $420 million general education funding cut in the 2028-29 biennium when the state is expected to face a budgetary shortfall.

Session Daily

Despite growth, average teacher salaries lag behind inflation

Adjusted for inflation, teachers are making 5% less on average than a decade ago, according to a report from the National Education Association

K-12 DIVE

Lawmakers pass bill boosting pensions for Minnesota teachers, police and firefighters

Educators and public safety personnel would benefit greatly from the omnibus pension and retirement bill.

Session Daily

We’ve got to figure out how to get people in the classroom’: Teachers lobbying at the State Capitol for pension reform

While hundreds of Education Minnesota teachers’ union members rallied inside the Capitol in St. Paul Saturday, former Anoka-Hennepin teacher Dan Larson was outside, talking about the uncertainties of retiring at age 62 and whether state lawmakers would pony up money for pension reform.

KSTP.Com

Senate approves repeal of E-rate Wi-Fi hotspots for schools, libraries

A Senate resolution passed under the Congressional Review Act would overturn coverage of the devices in the federal broadband assistance program.

K-12 DIVE

House passes overdose education bill with bipartisan support

Minnesota students attending a Changemakers Forum in November 2024 identified overdose prevention education as their top legislative priority.

Session Daily

Trump targets AI, school discipline in new executive orders

In addition to advancing AI in schools, the orders call for a review of discipline guidance based on “discriminatory and unlawful ‘equity’ ideology.”

K12DIVE

Commissioner Jett Shares Response to U.S. Department of Education Request for Certification of Compliance

MINNEAPOLIS – Today, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett sent a response to the April 3 U.S. Department of Education request for certification of compliance and updated Minnesota educators and school leaders.

MDE

Bill seeks $96.5 million annually to secure funding for early learning scholarships

Early learning scholarships provide funding for children to attend a high-quality early learning program. In an effort to keep that program alive and well, HF470 would appropriate $96.5 million annually in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Early Learning Scholarship program and makes the appropriation ongoing.

Session Daily

Education policy bill tackles teacher shortages, student health

More post-secondary eligibility options for charter school students, permanently adding a substitute teacher pilot program and an expansion of allowable epinephrine delivery systems have all made it into the omnibus education policy bill.

Session Daily

Cohesive response’ proposed to combat chronic absenteeism in Minnesota schools

According to Matt Shaver, policy director at EdAllies, 25% of Minnesota students are chronically absent from school: about 199,000 students missing about 3 million combined days of school per year.

Session Daily

Facing late Labor Days, legislation would allow districts to start school year early

Minnesota has a long-standing tradition of school starting after Labor Day. But in 2026 and 2027, a late Labor Day means students won’t head back to school until a week into September.

Session Daily