St. Paul, Minn., March 19, 2008 – Forty-six school districts face a combined budget shortfall of at least $113 million heading into the next school year, according to reports compiled by Education Minnesota.

Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher urged the Legislature and Governor to focus on what he said should be the state’s top priority during this legislative session: public schools. Schools need at least an
inflationary increase next year to reduce the shortfalls and ward off cuts.

The basic formula allowance will increase only 1 percent next year if the state leaders fail to act. The Legislature did not do its job last year for schools, and state leaders have not prepared for inevitable economic downturns, Dooher said.

Some examples of how the shortfalls are affecting districts include the following:

• Osseo is closing two elementary schools and proposing to lay off 166 teachers and other staff.
• Robbinsdale is cutting all middle school after-school sports and activities, raising fees and laying off dozens of teachers.
• Brainerd may close two buildings and cut 90 staff members.

“State funding simply has not kept up with inflation and the growing demands on the K-12 education system,” Dooher said.

In addition, Education Minnesota research found that the per pupil amount that districts have raised through referendums has risen continuously over the past 20 years, from $126 per pupil in 1986 to $901 per pupil in 2009.

The state’s deficit is not an excuse to neglect Minnesota’s top priority, Dooher said.

“We can’t decide to invest in children’s education only when times are good. Yes, we have a deficit. But there will never be a perfect time to make tough spending decisions. There will always be political resistance. There will always be other programs that need money. The fact remains that we must have an inflationary increase for public schools this session that takes effect next year. We can’t wait until next year because in this life, there’s no rewind button. Our kids get one shot at their next school year. And they need qualified teachers, small class sizes and up-to-date materials – not excuses,” Dooher said.

The $113 million estimated shortfall was calculated through a search of media and school district Web sites. The actual statewide shortfall may be higher.