(ABC 6 News) — School funding has been a major topic of discussion as districts across the area grapple with failing referendums and shortfalls from the state.

Investments Increase Access to Equipment, Cardiac Emergency Response, and Preparedness Planning in Schools

The last time safe school funding was increased in Minnesota was in 2013. Thirteen years later, Rep. Julie Greene (DFL-Edina) is seeking to increase the money schools receive for security expenses.

Ahead of schedule and under budget. Those aren’t necessarily the first words that come to mind with the launch of a significant government project, but they frame the rollout of Minnesota’s Paid Leave program.

Rep. Bidal Duran (R-Bemidji) readily admits his school safety proposal is far from enough. So do representatives of various school associations.

Minnesota schools are dealing with budget shortfalls and staffing cuts as they face inflation, uncertainty from possible federal cuts and the rising costs of recent state legislation.

Owatonna Public Schools has been overwhelmed the past three years with a large public data request, costing the district more than $400,000 and taking resources away from teaching students.

Some Minnesota school districts are scrambling after finding out they could lose millions of dollars in state funding for next year.

Minnesota State is the economic imperative for the state of Minnesota,” said George Soule, chair of the Board of Trustees. “We’ve heard a clear message from employer and community leaders across the state that they need more graduates with the skill set to move our economy forward. We understand the importance of this work and the board, chancellor and campus leaders are focused on this work.”

Following a discussion that lasted about as long as a school day, the House passed its supplemental education finance bill Tuesday night.

Changes to the Read Act, allowing military connected schools to add a Purple Star designation, and putting a ban on book bans are part of a conference committee report that appears to be all but official.

With a laundry list of differences, the education policy conference committee met Wednesday to walk-through the differences between the House and Senate bills.