St. Paul, MN- State Representative Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, released the following statement following Governor Dayton's visit to Parkview Elementary earlier today.
"I want to thank Governor Dayton for visiting Parkview Elementary in Lakeville—I'm proud that over the past two bienniums, House Republicans have worked with Governor Dayton to invest billions of increased funding into our schools. Despite the historic levels of funding, some schools still have a deficit. The causes vary—some schools have not adjusted to declining enrollment, others are struggling with broken promises from the federal government on special education funding.
I support fiscally-responsible education funding and I share the Governor's desire to ensure Lakeville and other school districts across the state keep the teachers they need and ensure a great education for our kids. However, after conversations with some members of our local school board, the priority for any supplemental education funding should remain focused on improving school safety. If other spending is considered, I’d like to see it put towards special education and a pension fix for our teachers. I am concerned that the Governor’s emergency proposal is a short-term fix that won't actually prevent teacher layoffs or fix longer-term problems. His proposal comes very late in the session, which makes it challenging with so many important issues already moving through the legislature including tax conformity, school safety improvements, and a fix to our public employees’ pension system."
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