SF1201

Purpose

This bill amends Minnesota law to clarify how school library aid is calculated for different types of districts and charter schools, starting with fiscal year 2024. It establishes a minimum (floor) amount for aid so that districts and charter schools receive a base level of funding for school libraries, regardless of their size.

Main provisions

• For independent or special school districts:
  • The annual school library aid is the greater of:
  • 16.11 times the district’s adjusted pupil units for the school year, or
  • 40,000 dollars.
• For charter schools:
  • The annual school library aid is the greater of:
  • 16.11 times the charter school’s adjusted pupil units for the school year, or
  • 20,000 dollars.
• The changes apply to fiscal year 2024 and later.
• The provision amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.992, subdivision 1.

What this changes or clarifies

• Establishes minimum aid levels (40,000 for districts and 20,000 for charter schools) to ensure a baseline level of school library funding, even if the per-pupil-unit calculation would be lower.
• Uses the “greater of” formula to determine aid, combining a per-pupil unit component with a fixed floor.

Implications and potential impact

• Smaller districts or charter schools that would receive less under the per-pupil-unit calculation will still receive at least the floor amount, which could increase or stabilize funding for school libraries.
• The calculation continues to rely on adjusted pupil units, maintaining the link between student counts and aid while adding a guaranteed minimum.

Effective date

• Applies to fiscal year 2024 and later.

Definitions and key terms used in the bill

• School library aid
• Independent school district
• Special school district
• Charter school
• Adjusted pupil units
• Greater of (comparison/concept used in the calculation)

Relevant Terms - school library aid - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 124D.992 subdivision 1 - independent school district - special school district - charter school - adjusted pupil units - greater of - floor amounts - 40,000 - 20,000 - fiscal year 2024 and later