VIDEO: Clausen Believes $15.7 Billion Education Bill Will Reduce Achievement Gap

The Apple Valley senator's proposal to fund all-day kindergarten is included as part of the large E-12 omnibus bill.

District 57 Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL) says he has his constituents' backing when it comes to his support of a $15.7 billion education omnibus bill—which calls for roughly $356 million in new schools spending. Clausen's own all-day kindergarten proposal accounts for roughly $130 million of that spending. The proposal, included in the larger omnibus package, does not mandate that school districts offer all-day kindergarten, but sets up funding formulas for those that wish to implement the initiative. Under the bill's provisions, a all-day kindergarten program must have at least 850 instruction hours in a school year. The omnibus bill, passed in both the Minnesota Senate and House, is currently working its way through conference committees. “…

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Clausen's $130 Million All-Day Kindergarten Proposal Passes Senate

The proposal was incorporated into a $15.7 billion education omnibus bill that was approved on Thursday.

District 57 Sen. Greg Clausen's (DFL) push for all-day kindergarten funding paid off late last week. Clausen's kindergarten funding bill, introduced in January, was incorporated into the Senate's $15.7 billion education E-12 omnibus bill,ored by District 43 Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL). The bill passed the Senate on Thursday on a 35-28 vote. The omnibus bill calls for roughly $356 million in new education spending—and Clausen's all-day kindergarten proposal accounts for $130 million of that total, according to a news release issued by Clausen's office. “This is a great day for Minnesota’s students and the future of our state,” said Sen. Clausen. “After a decade of cuts to Minnesota schools this investment is desperately needed. All-day K will …

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Smokin' Joe

11:09 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013

If you're reading this and involved with these issues then this program isn't really aimed at you. We simply haven't yet reached the point where the education community will publicly acknowledge that the reason some children do not do well in school is because of their parents. Of course we'll have to pay for it, we always do, and we'll pay for it again when they drop the age to three because …   more ›

Parents Talk: Should Music Programs Be Cut During School Budget Reductions?

As some school districts struggle with budget reductions, elementary music programs might be the first areas cut.

It has become a common scenario across many Twin City school districts.  No passage of an operating levy in November equals a spring of budget reductions.  Some school boards have been considering cutting some of the music programs out of their district offerings.  A recommendation in District 834 to cut fifth- and sixth-grade instrumental music programs to save $300,000 if a November levy doesn’t pass brought criticism from the Stillwater Area High School Orchestra Director.  “The elementary cost center’s suggestion appears disingenuous and may lack the integrity that the Stillwater community expects from its schools and from its School Board,” Stillwater Area High School Orchestra Director Jerry Jones said. “This elimination looks as …

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Mike B.

4:53 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013

You are correct, Jody. This country would be much better off if each and every school was private, and run like a business. The students would receive a better education at less money. And the students would not be indoctrinated with all this P.C. garbage that is being thrown in their faces. As it is, everything except the three R's are being taught in schools. And history has been whitewashed …   more ›

South Metro News Roundup

Flu Kills 112 Minnesotans; Scouts Ordered to Release More 'Perversion Files'

In other big headlines from around the South Metro region this week, a $10 million mansion goes up for sale in Inver Grove Heights and the Kohl's property in Burnsville is sold.

  You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the top stories of the past week from around the South Metro region. Here's a look at recent stories, which first appeared on this site or those of our neighbors, that may interest you or affect your life. To read the full stories, click on the headline links:   UPDATED: Flu Deaths in Minnesota Now Total 112 Department of Health says there were an additional 36 deaths last week, but that number of people hospitalized with flu-like symptoms much lower than previous week. Norovirus Bug On the Rise, New Strain Arrives in Minnesota A new, extremely contagious norovirus strain, detected last year in Australia, is making Minnesotans miserable.   UPDATE: Apple…

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District 196 Plans to Use Fund Balance for 2011-12 Budget, Awaits State Budget Outcome

While district administrators have planned the 2011-12 budget based on what they think will happen at the state level, they still await a decision on K-12 funding.

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district board began reviewing the district’s preliminary 2011-12 budget on Monday, but the district is still unsure what it’s working with in terms of state funding because the state hasn’t passed its budget. Right now, the district is planning for a 3.5-percent state aid cut, Director of Finance and Operations Jeff Solomon said. Projected general fund expenses exceed revenue by about $6.8 million, which the district plans to fill with money from its fund balance, he said. The most recent Republican proposal at the state level for K-12 funding increased funding by about $80 million, coming closer to what Gov. Mark Dayton proposed in February. Solomon said while this change could play a role in the …

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Q&A, Part 1: District 196 Finance Director Discusses Potential Impacts of Proposed State Education Budget

Jeff Solomon, director of finance for the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, talked with Patch about what increases or reductions in funding the proposed education bills in the House and Senate could mean for the district.

The Minnesota House and Senate have passed Omnibus Education Finance bills that would make sweeping changes in both the financing and administration of the state's pubic schools. Locally, attention has been given to the news that District 196 schools would receive more than $100 additional funding per student next year under the House and Senate versions of the bill. The bill also freezes special education reimbursement and reallocates money currently being used by local school districts for integration services. District 196 Director of Finance Jeff Solomon recently spoke with Patch about the impact both bills could have on the district's bottom line. While there are still many details to be worked out between the House and Senate …

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