SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) shared her support for Governor Mark Dayton’s emergency school aid proposal which would provide additional, needed state funding for school districts across the state. Right now, more than 26 school districts in the metropolitan area and 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota are facing immediate budget deficits that could result in hundreds of teachers and support staff being laid off, along with significant cuts to school programs. Governor Dayton’s proposal would increase school funding by 2 percent in the coming year, amounting to an additional $126 for every student in Minnesota.
The $126 per pupil increase under the Governor’s plan would amount to $5,687,420 for the 38,119 students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, and $3,298,101 for the 20,764 students in the Osseo School District.
House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman released the following statement:
“We’ve made a promise that every child in Minnesota will get the world-class education they deserve. We cannot fulfill that promise when our schools are facing deficits that lead to teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and program cuts. Minnesotans expect us to act to protect our local schools and ensure each child has an opportunity to succeed.”
-30-