The message is clear: Find a better way to fund schools

The message to legislators at the State Capitol on Nov. 27 was clear: design a stable funding system for Minnesota schools.

Representatives from schools and communities from across Minnesota told a large group of state senators and representatives that continued reliance on operating levies to fund school basics would not provide quality education for students.

"This past November, 100 Minnesota school districts - one-third of the state’s total number - asked voters to provide more money for basic education programs," said Senator Ellen Anderson, DFL- St. Paul/Falcon Heights. "Minnesota is known for quality, innovative education programs. We can’t watch this crumble because of an antiquated funding system that doesn’t meet the needs of the 21st century."

The Senate’s E-12 Education Finance Division met to hear from groups that were both successful and unsuccessful in passing levies this year. Superintendents, volunteers and parents came to the Capitol to talk about their experiences.

"Almost every group that came to talk to legislators agreed that this is not the way to fund schools," Senator Anderson said. "They told us that schools should not be in the business of running campaigns and elections to raise money, but should be engaged in educating our children. I agree."

This past fall, about 67 percent of all ballot questions passed. Representatives of districts that were successful and unsuccessful voiced their concerns, and pointed out that school levy campaigns created divisiveness in communities that had long-lasting ramifications.

"Superintendents told us they would be forced to increase class sizes, cut teachers and slash quality programs that help our students achieve," Senator Anderson said. "We also learned that the bitterness after ballot campaign lingers for years and creates animosity toward schools....We can’t have a funding system that pits neighbor against neighbor."

In many areas, changing demographics have hurt passage of ballot questions.

"Minnesota’s population is aging, and we have many residents who are on fixed incomes," Senator Anderson said. "It isn’t fair to ask them to continue to pay more and more to help provide what our schools need through the regressive property tax system. We must have something better."

A School Finance Reform Task Force has been meeting this fall to discuss ways to design a better funding system. The Task Force plans to present its findings to the Legislature in January.

"Property taxes continue to increase for all Minnesotans, and demanding that schools constantly ask voters to raise their own taxes is not the proper way to fund schools," Senator Anderson said. "I look forward to hear what the Task Force has to report to us in a few months."

Senator LeRoy Stumpf, chair of the Education Finance Division, promised that his committee would work with the Senate’s Tax Committee to talk about long-term solutions to funding problems.

"Over 80 percent of Minnesota school districts use referenda to operate their districts," Senator Anderson said. "I will work with my legislative colleagues to ensure that we provide adequate funding to provide quality programs for all our schoolchildren."

For more information, contact Sen. Anderson’s office at 651-296-5537 or sen.ellen.anderson@senate.mn.