Legislation for pre-K-12 funding went to the governor in the final hours of the 2007 session. The governor has not said whether he would sign the omnibus bills, but his initial comments were that they are in line with his overall goals for spending increases.

The bill adds 2 percent to the per-pupil funding formula in the first year, which begins July 1. The formula increase is 1 percent in the second year.

It also includes about $800 million in new money. $329 million was added for special education, which will offer some large districts substantial relief from funding special education with general revenue. All-day, everyday kindergarten also saw an increase, with $32.5 million more available.

In response to the education bill, Education Minnesota President Judy Schaubach said, “We feel the legislators did the best they could at balancing priorities using existing revenue. The bill tackles some of our top concerns—special education, all-day every-day kindergarten, and the funding formula. However, Minnesota still does not have adequate, sustainable funding for public education, because that would have required the state to raise additional revenues.  As a result, we will see schools continue to struggle next year to meet the needs of all learners as they make tough program and staff cuts.”

Higher education fared marginally better than pre-K-12, with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system granted an increase of $151 million and the University of Minnesota $173.5 million more for the next biennium.