ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Wednesday, Senator Heather Gustafson’s (DFL-Vadnais Heights) bill to increase the Basic Education Formula by 5% over the next two fiscal years was heard in the Education Finance Committee. In response, Senator Gustafson released the following statement:
“This bill addresses the significant underfunding all our schools, rural & metro, have faced for nearly twenty years. Our schools already experience significant financial constraints that have impacted students, teachers, parents, and the surrounding community. Over the last six years especially, Minnesota’s schools have not been provided adequate increases in school funding to keep up with inflation rates. A 5% increase on the basic education formula invests in ALL Minnesota students, teachers, and support staff. This formula increase would help address critical staffing shortages, increase mental health support, recover from the impacts of COVID, close opportunity gaps, reduce class sizes, and more.
My bill will take the long overdue action to increase the basic education formula so Minnesota can offer a world-class education to our students.”
Senate File 448 was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
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Learn more about Sen. Gustafson.
