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Students shouldn’t have to pay for adult budget problems

St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 27, 2010 -- Minnesota should not be borrowing money from school children to pay for budget problems created by adults, said Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher on Wednesday.

Dooher said Tuesday’s announcement that the state would delay $423 million in payments to schools is “just the latest example of how badly our system of funding education for students is broken in Minnesota.”

Dooher noted that some school districts will now have to borrow money and pay thousands of dollars in interest to cover the state shortfall.

“Essentially, the state is borrowing money from school children as another short-term budget fix instead of dealing with the long-term problem,” Dooher said. “We think the laws should be changed so that future state budget problems aren’t solved this way.”

Dooher warned that further cutting during the legislative session risks Minnesota’s position as a national leader in education.

“We are standing up in support of our students,” Dooher said. “We realize the budget situation is difficult, but we have to look at the big picture.”
 

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.

January 27, 2010