Allow Increased Flexibility for School Districts

• Expand the allowable uses of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue to allow school districts to enhance safety through security modifications to buildings, including remodeling and additions to existing space.
• Increase the maximum Safe Schools Levy and state aid to support the mental health needs of our students and expand the permitted uses to offset the growing costs of cyber security and school communication technology.
• Reduce mandated paperwork requirements for Special Education students. Reducing paperwork requirements allows staff to spend more time with students. 
• Oppose any new unfunded mandates. Unfunded state mandates add additional costs to an already stressed budget.

Enhance Educator Workforce

• Support policies that attract, develop and retain a diverse educator workforce to reflect diverse student populations. Maintain the tiered licensing system to ensure multiple pathways for licensure.

Institute Tax Equalization

• Fund all districts equitably, considering the difference between commercial property-rich communities and residential communities. Operating referendums play a crucial role in school funding. Residents of districts with lower commercial property wealth pay between $200 to $500 more in taxes than those who reside in districts rich with commercial property. For example, taxes on a home valued at $322,600 cost Rdale homeowners $348 more than what the commercial property-rich Hopkins district homeowners pay.

Download the 2024 Legislative Platform