HF2717

Purpose of the Bill

This bill is focused on increasing the financial resources available to promote safety in Minnesota schools. It aims to provide additional revenue through safe schools aid and safe schools levy for school districts, intermediate school districts, and cooperative units. The ultimate goal is to enhance safety measures and support programs that foster a secure learning environment.

Main Provisions

• Expansion of Safe Schools Revenue:

  • Safe schools revenue for school districts is calculated based on student enrollment, with specific adjustments for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and later.
  • For intermediate school districts, schools can levy additional amounts for safety activities.
  • Cooperative units, defined in the bill, will also receive safe schools revenue starting in fiscal year 2027.

• Safe Schools Levy and Aid:

  • School districts have a levy authorization which is a multiplier of the district's adjusted pupil units.
  • Safe schools aid is calculated as the difference between a district's revenue and levy, adjusted by the levy capacity.

• Authorized Uses of Revenue:

  • Funds may be used for salaries and costs related to hiring law enforcement for school liaison roles.
  • Programs focusing on drug abuse prevention, gang resistance, security, crime, and violence prevention in schools are supported.
  • Funding includes salaries for licensed counselors and psychologists to address student issues early on.
  • Enhancements to school facilities for security purposes and improving the school climate are key focuses.
  • Cybersecurity measures including upgrading hardware/software and related insurance costs are also covered.

Significant Changes

• The bill extends safe schools revenue to cover cooperative units, expanding the scope beyond individual and intermediate school districts.
• It specifies the allocation and calculation methods for safe schools revenue and aids in creating a consistent approach to school safety funding.
• A new financial provision is made for cooperative units starting in fiscal year 2027 to support collective educational environments.

Relevant Terms

safe schools revenue, safe schools levy, safe schools aid, school districts, intermediate school districts, cooperative units, drug abuse prevention, school security, cybersecurity, mental health professionals, facility security enhancements, pupil units.