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State Rep. Kate Knuth - District 50B - (DFL-New Brighton)

Much of the recent news coming out of the Legislature this session has centered on the state's nearly $1 billion budget deficit, and efforts to close that gap. Early in budget discussions, there was clear agreement on all sides that any budget balancing bill would not include school budget cuts, since schools across the state are still trying to recover from cuts made during the last state budget deficit.

Even beyond the agreement to protect schools from cuts, there is broad agreement that schools need some sort of funding relief this year. Even in times of economic downturn, children come to school to learn - and they don't get a second chance at third grade or algebra or Spanish. If we're serious about creating a highly skilled workforce to help Minnesota compete, we can't afford to back away from our commitment to quality schools, even when facing a budget shortfall.

That's why the House budget-balancing proposal includes a one-time school funding increase for 2009. While not a comprehensive education funding solution, the proposal offers short-term relief to help struggling schools keep their heads above water and lays a foundation for real education funding reform next session.

The case for broader funding reform is compelling. Minnesota's existing school funding system, which served us well throughout the '70s and '80s, doesn't work for today's students and schools. Under the current structure, school districts are increasingly forced to go to voters with hat in hand to pay for classroom basics - districts in our communities being no exception. Even the new funding approved by the 2007 Legislature couldn't make up for all of the costs of meeting increased special education demands, state and federal mandates and other costs - nor could it reverse all of the damage done by 2003 budget cuts. As we saw last fall, 99 districts across the state held levy referenda elections, hoping that higher property taxes could stave off teacher layoffs, program cuts and increased fees.

That trend is unsustainable and unacceptable. That's why I support an innovative plan to transform the way Minnesota schools are funded - one that would significantly moderate skyrocketing property taxes and provide every Minnesota student access to a top-notch education. The groundbreaking proposal, which will be in play next year, begins increasing school funding starting in 2010 and can be phased in over the course of several bienniums as economic conditions allow. It simplifies state school funding, reduces property taxes and lays a foundation for every student to succeed when they graduate from high school.

Along with funding reform, we're also looking at ways to provide real accountability in terms of school performance with a revamped school report card. Unlike the one-dimensional report card that was discontinued because it was used to punish schools, the new report card better identifies areas where students are succeeding and where improvements are needed. It provides a clear picture of student performance expectations and how well schools actually meet those expectations. Elements of the revised report card will chart individual student growth over time, determine how schools compare to others, track completion of rigorous coursework to predict college success and establish a gauge of how students perceive their schools in terms of school safety and engagement.

School funding reform and meaningful school accountability go hand in hand, and both will put Minnesota on a clear path for success in the 21st century. By shoring up school funding for the short term, laying the groundwork for funding reform that fairly and adequately meets the needs of every student and district, and giving the public a fuller picture of academic performance, we can ensure every Minnesota high school graduate will be well-prepared for success - whether they enter the workforce or attend college or vocational school. I think that's a vision for our state we can all stand behind.

http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2008/05/09/opinion/fo08column.txt