SF1019

Senate Bill No. 1019 is a proposal aiming to modify the current educational finance laws related to transportation in Minnesota. Specifically, it intends to increase the funding designated for transportation in school districts that are labeled as "sparse" in terms of student density. This bill would adjust how much districts get by potentially increasing their transportation revenue by 35-70% based on the costs they had in previous years. The increase relates to the costs of both regular and additional student transportation needs, including equipment depreciation.

This adjustment would be calculated from the lesser of two values: either the full transportation costs from the previous year, up to a maximum of 105% of the costs from two years ago, or a combination of various district revenue sources from the previous year.

Additionally, charter schools would receive an adjusted per pupil unit amount equaling what public school districts receive under this amendment. This legislation is part of an effort to make funding more equitable and adequate in meeting the transportation needs of districts where students might have to travel longer distances to get to school.