RAS LAC Interpretation

Well, here is what the RAS LAC folks had to say regarding the Legislative session... Sorry for the formatting, I just copied and pasted it into the blog. It looked better in the email. Thoughts?


The 2010 legislative session ended with the Governor and legislature failing to pass an Education Finance bill. What does this mean for school districts?
This means that several great provisions were not passed that could have helped our school district during these difficult economic times. Several provisions that we were fighting for went down to defeat in the wee hours of the special session that finalized the budget agreement negotiated between the legislature and Governor Pawlenty. Click here to view the bill that could have been: House File 2: Omnibus K-12

What did pass for education?
Last year's unallotment called for late payments to schools: schools would receive 73% of their entitlement in one year and 27% the next year. This NEW budget balancing agreement has those payments shifted to 70% one year and 30% the next. These late payments have now at least been put into law that they will be repaid. The problem is the upcoming budget shortfall which will make repaying this shifted payment to schools almost impossible.
Physical education is now a state standard (passed in a heath bill).
The 1980s provision that "required" the state to borrow from school fund balances before going to outside lenders has been changed to permissive language.
The Kyle Herman bill was signed into law by the Governor on 4/26/10. This bill provided for Parent notification of child maltreatment in a school facility modifications.
Sentencing guidelines were increased for carrying a dangerous weapon onto school property.
And, of course, the payment shifts. According to the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, "We're paying for this shift with 400 teachers a year." - May 18, Star Tribune.
What did not pass for education?
· Modification of Charter School Provisions: Provided rules governing charter school facilities and governance.
· Care and treatment bill: This bill provided a mechanism for Robbinsdale and other affected districts to be paid for the educational services we provide to out-of-state students who are in a residential treatment facility located within our district.
· Mandate reduction bill: School district mandates reduced, additional flexibility allowed, and certain fund transfers authorized.

· Safe Schools Levy increase: A proposal to increase this levy from $30 to $32 per pupil unit.

· Referendum renewal authority: This provision would have allowed school boards to renew an existing referendum for the same monetary amount and time period as the existing referendum.

Background: Prior to 1990, when voters approved local levies the vote gave local school boards the ongoing authority to levy the approved amount. In the mid-1990s, with the cry that by the mid 2000s "surely there would be a better way to fund schools," the legislature required that all voter-approved levies have a finite end, so any outstanding levy passed prior to 1990 had to sunset by 2007 and the renewal roller coaster began.
· Early childhood program for at-risk 4 year olds: Provided guidelines to provide for this early childhood program to be offered through community education.
For More Information:

May 17, 2010 - More school aid to be held up- Districts will have to borrow to tide them over, and interest will cost millions. School budgets didn't get whacked during the 2010 legislative session, but plenty of money will be slow to arrive, Star Tribune.
May 17, 2010 - Schools see delayed payments and little else from legislative session- The budget deal the Legislature passed Monday relies heavily on delayed payments to schools to balance the state's books. But aside from that payment shift, lawmakers adjourned without passing any other significant education-related legislation, Minnesota Public Radio.
April 27, 2010 -It's Time to Tackle Minnesota's Achievement Gap- We know the achievement gap exists. We know the gap in reading and math test scores between white students and students of color exists across the nation. But it is especially pronounced in Minnesota, Minnesota 2020.

The November election will be critical to the fate of our schools.
I encourage you to attend candidate forums and ask pointed questions of the candidates. How will they address the huge projected deficit? What are their plans for education?

To find out who represents you go to: http://www.gis.leg.mn/mapserver/districts.
Your state senator and representative contact information is listed on the left.

The Legislative Action Coalition of Robbinsdale Area Schools was established by the school board to be an advocate for our public school district and the learners, families and communities it serves.