About $245,000 could flow from state’s metro equity levy program
by Jim Boyle
Editor
The recently approved Minnesota House of Representatives omnibus education bill includes a provision tied to the equity revenue for qualifying school districts outside the metro.
This would provide $7.7 million to expand equity funding to districts outside the metro area to reduce per-pupil funding disparities.l
If approved, about $245,000 in additional money from the state’s metro equity levy program would be made available to the Elk River Area School District, according to Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River.
School district administrators mentioned the bill at the April 25 school board meeting, noting they were cautiously optimistic the session would bear such fruit. Charlie Blesener, the director of community engagment, said legislation in educaton bills has been known to be stripped as the session winds down.
The Senate is also considering a provision in legislation to provide some equity funding.
Other appropriations in the House bill include:
- $7 million for broadband expansion grants.
- $6 million for staff training in intermediate school districts serving students with disabilities.
- $5 million for school-linked mental health grants.
- $4.5 million for a “future teachers” grant program for students intending to teach in high-need areas.
- $2.75 million to implement the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program in districts to promote “positive school culture.”
- $2 million for the Collaborative Urban Educator program.
- $1.8 million for the Parent Aware early learning quality rating system.
- $1.5 million for the Reading Corps tutoring program.
- $1.5 million for student mentoring partnerships through the Sanneh Foundation.
- $1.5 million for the Girls in Action mentoring program grants.
- $1.5 million for “grow your own” teacher residency pilot program.
- $2.2 million for loan forgiveness for teachers who work in shortage areas. (Editor’s note: This report contains information provided by House Information Services.)