St. Paul Public Schools gets $52 million more state aid next year, yet budget hole remains

The state's newly minted education finance bill hit a number of sweet spots for St. Paul Public Schools: $52 million worth of new money for the 2023-24 school year alone.

Yet the state's second-largest district is projected to still come up short on the budget front, requiring it to use rainy-day funds to fill a looming deficit.

Enrollment again is tumbling, contract costs are certain to rise, positions funded previously by federal COVID-relief money now will be covered through the general fund. New investments are in the works, too, including a recently announced East African magnet school.

https://www.startribune.com/st-paul-public-schools-budget-gap-despite-state-aid-enrollment-drop/600278234/