SF1612

This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 1612, focuses on education finance and proposes various funding increases for school districts. Key components of the bill include:

1. Increased General Education Funding – Raises the general education basic formula allowance, which determines per-student funding for public schools.
2. Special Education Support – Increases special education cross-subsidy aid to help cover the gap between special education costs and available funding.
3. School Unemployment Aid – Provides additional funds for the school unemployment aid account.
4. English Learner Support – Expands cross-subsidy aid for English learners, supporting districts with high numbers of non-native English speakers.
5. School Safety Funding – Increases safe schools revenue to enhance security and support services in schools.
6. Extended Time Revenue Adjustment – Links extended time revenue (funding for students needing additional instructional time) to the general education basic formula allowance.
7. Debt Service Equalization Aid – Raises equalization aid for various levies, including debt service levies, local optional revenue, and operating referendums, reducing the reliance on local property taxes.
8. Compensatory Revenue Eligibility Update – Changes how schools qualify for compensatory revenue by using both direct certification and education benefits applications, potentially increasing funding for low-income students.
9. Operating Referendum Renewal – Allows school boards to renew voter-approved operating referenda multiple times, providing more financial stability for school districts.

The bill also includes amendments to several Minnesota Statutes (2024) to implement these changes.