Governor Pawlenty Backs Proposal to Send at Least 65 Percent of Education Spending to the Classroom

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY BACKS PROPOSAL TO SEND AT LEAST 65 PERCENT OF EDUCATION SPENDING TO THE CLASSROOM

~ Districts would be required to limit spending on bureaucracy, focus on classroom ~

Under a proposal backed by Governor Tim Pawlenty today, up to $214 million would be shifted from school district administration to classrooms. The proposal would require every Minnesota school district to spend at least 65 percent of expenditures directly on classroom instruction.

"As we increase K-12 funding this year, we also want to make sure the money is well spent," Governor Tim Pawlenty said. "Requiring that at least 65 percent of funding be spent in the classroom is a common sense idea that will help ensure better accountability in our schools."

The bill, authored by Representative Karen Klinzing (R-Woodbury) and Senator David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), requires superintendents to certify each year the percent of the district's total operating expenditures that are intended to be spent on direct classroom expenditures. Direct classroom expenditures include classroom teachers and personnel, special education, vocational education, classroom instructional supplies, instructional aides and activities.

"The 65 percent proposal still allows the local school board to determine exactly how their money will be spent, but it adds some statewide accountability by making the classroom the priority," Rep. Karen Klinzing said. "As a classroom teacher, I have seen first hand the frustration of parents who pay higher taxes and yet see fewer resources in their classrooms."

Minnesota school districts currently spend an average of 62.1 percent of total expenditures in the classroom. Moving to 65 percent would shift an additional $214 million to classroom activities that have a more direct impact on student achievement.

"This bill provides more money for classrooms without a tax increase and clearly establishes that we expect state funding to be targeted on our children," said Senator David Hann. "The 65 percent solution is a sensible and effective step we can take today to help our students succeed in the classroom."

If a school district is currently spending less than 65 percent on classroom instruction, it would need to increase that amount by 2 percent or more per year until the 65 percent goal is reached. In

addition, there is waiver language in the bill to help ease the financial strain on rural school districts with high transportation and other fixed costs.

The 65 percent proposal was included in the House Omnibus K-12 bill, which will be voted on next week. The Senate did not include the language in its bill but Senator Hann said it will be offered as an amendment to the K-12 omnibus package next week.

"There are school districts that are near or at the 65 percent solution and we commend them for making such a strong commitment to classroom instruction," Governor Pawlenty said. "However, we have school districts that are failing to prioritize classroom expenditures in their operating budgets. We believe the students, parents and teachers in those deserve more resources to help them advance student achievement."

Governor Pawlenty has proposed increasing K-12 education funding by $477 million in his budget proposal. The Governor's plan includes 2.5% formula increase for each year of the biennium for a total of $341 million. The average general fund revenue for school districts, excluding money from the Governor's Q Comp performance pay initiative, is $8,557 per student in FY 2006 and $9,057 in FY 2007. This will result in an average 6.1% increase to school district's biennial budgets.

Districts that participate in the Governor's Q Comp program would receive an average 9.2% increase to their biennial budgets.

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