Thread by @sdvillella

#SpecialEducation #CrossSubsidy 🧵
The Minnesota legislature is failing our school districts, students and communities by not fully funding the required special education services our schools must deliver #mnleg @msba @amsdmn <1>

With an unprecedented $9.3 billion surplus this year, the Minnesota legislature should finally fully fund its obligation to special education in our state. To this point, the state has failed its obligation leaving Minnesota’s public schools with an unfunded mandate. <2>

Schools are forced to borrow from their general funds, taking dollars meant for general classrooms to provide these required services. Each year, this “cross-subsidy” for school districts grows and all of our schools and students suffer. <3>

My children attend @SLP_Schools where I am also a school board member. This year, the Spring Lake Park Schools “cross subsidy “was $5.8 million. Next year, it’s estimated to grow to more than $7 million. <4>

Each year, the district has diverted funds that would be used in general classroom to cover these costs. Clearly, this is not sustainable. Many districts cut programs or go to the voters to ask for additional funding through levies. <5>

With a state-wide budget surplus, this should not be the case. Education needs to be a priority in St Paul. Our children, our schools and our communities depend on it. <6>

Please reconvene and work to make progress toward funding that eliminates the Special Education Cross-Subsidy for all Minnesota schools. @rcchamberlain1 @JuliaEColeman @ZachDuckworth @SenatorEichorn @ChuckWiger @jdavnie @RuthForHouse @RepHassan <7>

. @SenJerryNewton @ErinKoegel @nolanwest @MaryKunesh9 @conniebernardy <8/end>

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