New education spending sparks shift for Minnesota schools

New budget has largest per-pupil funding formula increase in 15 years

Jul 14, 20210

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune count

Lilly Aleshire, left, a rising sophomore at Denfeld High and Gov. Tim Walz timed students during a physical science acceleration lab as they ran on the track on Tuesday, July 13, in Duluth.

DULUTH – Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan stopped in Duluth on Tuesday to tout Minnesota's two-year state education budget passed with bipartisan support in late June, which includes the largest per-pupil funding formula increase in 15 years.

"Schools are the epitome of what community looks like, and COVID challenged us as a community," Walz said during a news conference at West Duluth's Denfeld High School. "While there were times it brought out a little of the worst of us, predominantly it brought out the best in us, especially when it came time to protect our children and making sure education was a priority."

While the $554 million in new spending came too late for some, Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas said the district was still able to offer transportation to its students taking summer classes for the first time. Denfeld is serving twice its usual number of students this summer.

https://www.startribune.com/new-education-spending-sparks-shift-for-minnesota-schools/600077755/