ST. PAUL – State Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, announces school districts throughout Minnesota are set to receive a combined $30 million from the state to fund safety initiatives.
The supplemental aid must be used for expenditures as authorized under the Safe Schools Levy. This includes a wide variety of facility and programming purposes such as police liaison services, counseling, school security, drug abuse prevention programs, gang resistance education training and other crime prevention and safety measures for students and staff.
“This funding is part of an effort to provide resources throughout the state because the importance of student safety is not bound by ZIP codes,” Demuth said. “Each district has its own set of circumstances and this equitable approach we used with these dollars allows local citizens and officials to identify their greatest needs and respond accordingly. It is another piece of the puzzle to help keep our kids safe.”
The money comes from a one-time Safe Schools Supplemental Aid appropriation in the state’s new education budget. The $30 million will be provided to school districts and charter schools on a per-pupil basis. The appropriations for districts encompassing Demuth’s House District 13A include:
Students Safe schools aid
Albany 1,778 $61,729
Annandale 1,878 $65,202
EV-Watkins 954 $33,139
Holdingford 1,087 $37,762
Kimball 745 $25,881
Paynesville 932 $32,369
Rocori 2,084 $72,382
St. Cloud 9,908 $344,098
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