Time to Get Blogging!  It's been a slow start to the 2021 Legislative Session, which was somewhat to be expected given the fact that the Legislature is pretty much meeting in hybrid mode with committee meetings done remotely.  This has slowed down bill introductions and committee hearings have largely dealt with study topics rather than hearing bills to this point.  Much of the discussion has revolved around recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with assistance to businesses and individuals at the heart of the discourse.  That doesn't mean the committee hearings haven't been interesting.  In education, a lot of attention has been given to the task of opening schools again and with elementary students in most districts attending again in person, the debate is turning to questions surrounding how to help students get back to where they need to be academically and to weave them back into the school environment emotionally.  There is no question that almost a year out of formal classroom education has taken its toll on everyone in the education enterprise, but the starkest loss has likely been felt by students.

One bill with considerable implications for education was heard in the House Education Policy Committee last week and will be heard in the House Education Funding Committee later this week.  HF 4 authored by Minneapolis Representative Hodan Hassan holds school districts harmless for general education revenue losses due to dips in enrollment due to the pandemic by allowing districts to use the greater of their current enrollment or their enrollment numbers from the 2019-2020 school year.

Other items in the bill include:

• Allows districts to expand extended time programs for the coming summer by board action with added hours being reported through the framework of the current extended time program.
• Requires school districts to prioritize students with disabilities, especially those in Level 3 or Level 4 programs, when considering return to in-person instruction.
• $2 million for full service community school grants.
• $6 million for grants for trauma-informed professional development grants.
• $3 million for Math Corps and $2 million for Reading Corps.

Here is a link to the bill summary:  HF 4 Bill Summary 

Governor's Budget Released.  While things have proceeded at a relatively leisurely pace to this point, the release of the Governor's budget in budget session usually marks the point when the action picks up.  The Governor is putting forth an ambitious budget that calls for a biennial increase of approximately $770 million over the base with $300 million of that coming from an increase in the general education formula of 1% for the 21-22 school year and 2.5% for the 22-23 school year.

Here are the other highlights of the bill:

• Increases in equalization for local option revenue, operating referendum revenue, and debt service revenue.
• Dedication of Federal revenue to extended time programs.
• Freezing the special education cross-subsidy at its current level.
• $28 million over the biennium to reduce the English learner cross-subsidy.
• $46 million over the biennium establishing a student support personnel categorial program.  The formula would provide $22 per student with a district minimum of $35,000.  The intent is to increase the presence of school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors and school nurses in school districts throughout the state.
• $5 million in each year of the biennium for full service community schools.
• A strong commitment to American Indian education through the expansion of a variety of programs.
• The creation of an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office at the Minnesota Department of Education.
• $5 million per year for increased teacher mentorship.

What I've provided is a short synopsis of what is in the Governor's recommendations for the E-12 system.  If you want to digest the whole 417 pages, here is the link:  Governor Walz/Lt. Governor Flanagan E-12 Budget Recommendations

 And here are the Cliff's Notes:  Summary of Governor Walz/Lt. Govnernor Flanagan E-12 Budget Recommendations

And Finally, here is the page on the Minnesota Department of Education website related to the Due North education plan outlined in the budget recommendations.  There is some valuable links that show the background behind a number of the recommendations.

Due North Education Plan 

Reaction to the recommendations has been spirited and below are several links to news stories regarding the Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's budget recommendations.

Star Tribune 

St. Paul Pioneer Press 

Due North Press Conference on You Tube (Governor enters at 5:00 mark)

The Real Reason I Haven't Been Blogging.   It's hard to get on the computer when the dog is surfing the web.  I hope she doesn't have my credit card number.  Mondo dog treats if she does!