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President Dooher responds to Pioneer Press editorial

Pioneer Press, Feb. 13, 2010

By Tom Dooher
President
Education Minnesota

It appears the Pioneer Press would rather vilify teachers (“Shakedown, editorial Feb. 7”) than examine the real issues facing education funding in Minnesota.

Put simply, Education Minnesota is calling for an end to cuts in education.  Adjusted for inflation, this state has cut per pupil spending by 13 percent in the past seven years. Poll after poll finds a large majority of Minnesotans stand with us. They want these cuts stopped. They understand Minnesota can’t cut its way to excellence. They understand that quality education drives a strong economy.

School districts that gave teachers minimal raises should be applauded, not criticized. They managed their finances well enough to make a modest investment in some of their most critical employees.  They know strong schools mean strong communities. They recognize that even a tiny investment in teachers is an investment in students. If only our governor managed money that well.

Teacher salaries are not driving education costs higher.  Salaries for Minnesota teachers have not kept up with inflation in five of the last six years, and they account for less of school district budgets today than 10 years ago. 

One major cost to our schools comes in the form of unfunded mandates from Washington, D.C.  Most of the budget problems in most Minnesota schools would be wiped out if the federal government simply paid what it has promised for the special education programs it mandates in the law.

In addition, the price of health insurance is skyrocketing.  It’s one of the true forces driving education costs higher.  As a result, we have authored a reform measure to make changes in the health insurance system for teachers.  Our bill would save millions of dollars.  It has been passed twice by the Legislature, but vetoed twice by the governor. We call on him to take another look.

These are the kinds of thoughtful changes and reform we need. Those who would continue cutting education funding to balance the current budget deficit are taking Minnesota down the wrong path.  They risk Minnesota's position as a national and world leader in education.  We may lose it not because another state or country took it from us, but because Minnesota gave it away.

February 17, 2010