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Health & Fitness

Minnesota House of Representatives Passes Omnibus Education Bill

Tuesday evening, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill

Bloomington Schools To $6.5 Million More, Richfield Schools To Gain Extra $3.9 Million 

SAINT PAUL, MN – Tuesday evening, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill. The bill reverses a decade of disinvestment in education and makes historic investments in strategies proven to close the achievement gap, raise graduation rates, and improve student career and college readiness.

“Paying back the school shift and ensuring Minnesota kids get the education they need to thrive have been a priorities throughout the session,” said Rep. Linda Slocum (DFL—Richfield), Education Finance Committee vice chair. “Not only does the bill provide new resources for schools, it puts money in programs where research shows it will have the greatest positive impact.”

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The House education budget also contains a new strategy to close the revenue equity gap and reduce property taxes. The bill enhances the equity formula guaranteeing all districts at least $300 per student of equity and referendum revenue, and raises and indexes operating referendum levy equalization factors to reduce property taxes.

The budget provides significant new revenue for Richfield and Bloomington public schools. Under the bill Bloomington schools would receive $6.5 million more, while Richfield schools gain an extra $3.9 million during the next two years.

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The omnibus education bill increases funding for K-12 schools by four percent – or over $315 million – during the next two years. However, money and good intentions aren’t enough to guarantee success, which is why the education bill invests in all-day kindergarten and early childhood education. These two programs are proven to improve test scores, close the achievement gap and prepare students for future academic success.

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