SF1837

This bill clarifies the allowed uses of student support personnel aid in Minnesota schools. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 124D.901, Subdivision 4, to specify that:

1. The aid must be used to hire new student support personnel, increase service hours for part-time positions, make permanent positions funded by temporary federal COVID-19 relief funds, or maintain positions that would otherwise be eliminated.
2. Aid directed to intermediate districts or cooperative units must also be used for hiring or expanding student support roles.
3. If a district, charter school, or cooperative unit cannot hire a full-time staff member due to receiving fewer than two applications, they may use the aid to contract services from licensed professionals such as school counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, or chemical dependency counselors.
4. The aid may also be used to maintain existing positions, including those established before the 2023-2024 school year or previously funded by other sources, if the superintendent or charter school director provides assurances that the positions would otherwise be eliminated.

The bill ensures stability in student support services by allowing flexibility in maintaining or expanding essential support roles.