Education Finance Notes.  The House Education Finance Committee and the Senate E-12 Finance Committee were the two education-related committees meeting today.  The House committee covered three bills, two of which, HF 831 (Loon) and HF 843 (Mariani), deal with extended time revenue and propose to link extended time revenue to the basic formula so its value would increase automatically when the basic formula is increased.  Extended time revenue has proven to be an effective strategy in closing the achievement gap and it was interesting to hear testimony on how districts are using this revenue to meet student learning needs.  The committee also heard Representative Jason Rarick's HF 631, which establishes a youth skills training program.

The Senate committee heard five bills, one of which, SF 857 (Torres Ray), is the companion to HF 843 on linking extended time revenue to the basic formula.  Chair Carla Nelson's SF 954 would make charter schools eligible to receive extended time revenue.  They are currently prohibited from receiving it.  The committee also heard SF 204, a bill authored by Senator Ron Latz that would increase the community education basic formula.  Senator Chuck Wiger's SF 7 would fund the full service community schools program that was established a few years ago.  These schools incorporate a wide range of social services within the school community, which promotes one-stop access to these needed services.  The committee also heard SF 1300, Senator Justin Eichorn's bill that would provide funding for the Education Innovation Partners Cooperative Center.

BILL INTRODUCTIONS (They keep on coming!)

House

HF 1825-Loon-Abolishing Perpich Center for the Arts

HF 1826-Erickson-Abolishing Perpich Center for the Arts

HF 1846-Thissen-Requiring Water Testing for Lead at School Buildings

HF 1874-Poston-Funding for Collaborative Urban Educator Program

HF 1886-Grossell-Extending Early Repayment of Maximum Effort Loan for Kelliher

HF 1901-Bly-Increasing Funding for Career and Technical Education

HF 1903-Urdahl-Funding for the Increase Teachers of Color Act

HF 1905-Swedzinski-Clarifying Uses of Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue

HF 1909-Grossell-Appropriating Money for Red Lake School District

HF 1920-Kresha-Makes Nonexclusionary Policies and Practices a Central Focus of Student Discipline

HF 1927-Heintzeman-Increases Equalizing Factor for Local Option Revenue in School Districts with High Levels of Seasonal Recreational Property

HF 1937-Erickson-Modifies Open Enrollment Priorities

Senate

SF 1579-Hall-Grants to Minnesota Youth Council

SF 1580-Utke-Extending Early Repayment of Maximum Effort Loan for Kelliher

SF 1582-Chamberlain-Allows Charter Schools to Change Authorizers

SF 1588-Clausen-Requires Commissioner of Education to Develop Child Abuse Awareness Posters

SF 1599-Abeler-Funds Mental Health Counselors at Minnesota Transitions Charter School

SF 1606-Clausen-Grants tor Minnesota Alliance with Youth

SF 1611-Utke-Allows Levy Adjustment for Nevis ISD 308

SF 1629-Torres Ray-Modifies Safe Schools Levy

SF 1648-Abeler-Provides Supplementary Aid for Approved Recovery Programs