Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to provide financial support for early childhood education by allocating funds for preschool programs in the St. Cloud Area School District.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill appropriates a total of $310,000 from the general fund to the Department of Education. Specifically, $155,000 is designated for the fiscal year 2026 and another $155,000 for fiscal year 2027.
• Grant Beneficiary: Independent School District No. 742, located in St. Cloud, will receive the grant money. The funds are intended for the Preschool 4 Success program, which operates in cooperation with the Rotary Club of St. Cloud.
• Usage of Funds: A portion of the grant, up to three percent, is permitted to be used for grant administration purposes.

Significant Changes

• The allocation is described as a onetime appropriation, meaning it will not be recurring annually.
• The appropriations have specific availability dates, with the fiscal year 2026 funds available until June 30, 2027, and the fiscal year 2027 funds available until June 30, 2028, allowing some flexibility in fund usage.

Relevant Terms

preschool, early childhood education, grant, appropriation, St. Cloud Area School District, Preschool 4 Success, Department of Education, Rotary Club