School Officials: Bill Would Hurt Vulnerable Students (MN)

June 22, 2011

St. Cloud school district on Tuesday called on lawmakers to work to get an education bill th at is better for its students.

In a news conference at Technical High School, St. Cloud school officials and supporters said St. Cloud is hurt by changes to funding for low-income and minority students.

“We call on the House, Senate, governor to come to an immediate resolution that does not damage this district,” Superintendent Bruce Watkins said.

The news conference put into public view in St. Cloud the debate about the state budget that threatens to partially shut down state government if it’s not settled by July 1.

St. Cloud school district called for a balanced approach of spending reductions and revenue increases to settle the budget.

Republicans want a $34 billion two-year state budget and Gov. Mark Dayton wants a $35.8 billion budget. The House and Senate passed an education bill that the governor vetoed.

“At a time when Minnesota faces a $5 billion deficit, we have increased funding for St. Cloud schools and enacted real reforms,” Rep. Steve Gottwalt said.

The education bill does increase overall funding for St. Cloud schools $1.1 million, but St. Cloud school officials say they are overall losers because it is a regional center with many children with many challenges that require additional resources and services. Watkins said the bills take money from metro schools and regional centers and give it to rural and charter schools.

St. Cloud schools are concerned that changes to money that schools receive for low-income students and integration programs will hurt the 9,500-student district that is 25 percent students of color, half of whom are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

“We are concerned legislation currently under consideration will harm students in (St. Cloud school district) and limit the quality of education,” said Bruce Hentges, a St. Cloud school board member.

Rep. Larry Hosch, DFL-St. Joseph, said St. Cloud is one of the biggest losers in the education bill.

“What we are talking about in the latest proposal takes us backward. That is frustrating,” Hosch said.

Rep. King Banaian, R-St. Cloud, said he will not support a similar bill he voted for during the session because the governor does not support it.

He said he wants education reforms and the aid for special categories such as low income and integration to be outcome-based.

“I thought it was less than completely fair (to St. Cloud),” Banaian said of the education bill.