The presentations at the education forum this morning highlighted some of the problems our schools are facing. The state owes schools approximately 2.4 billion dollars and there is no plan as to when the debt will be paid back. In the meantime, some school districts are borrowing money to keep the districts in operation. Why would legislators deliberately place our kids’ education and our schools in jeopardy? This goes back to the irresponsible budget settlement last year and other similar acts. Class sizes in Minnesota are now some of the largest in the country. How does that help our children or economic recovery in Minnesota?
School District #191, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, is looking to make five million dollars in cuts. One parent said he has already open-enrolled his children in another district because of the cuts. Someone who attended one of #191’s budget meetings said that other parents threatened to do the same thing if cuts continue. This problem is facing districts throughout the state.
Minnesota needs to find a stable funding source for our schools! That is essential to providing bright futures for our children and bringing good jobs to Minnesota. The caliber of Minnesota’s work force was instrumental in the economic success of past years and is essential as we go forward.
We need legislators who understand the importance of keeping our public schools competitive nationally and globally.
The consensus was that we all need to take action to contact our legislators and tell them we expect them to fund education appropriately.
Thanks to the folks at Our Future MN for putting this event together.
The Uptake taped the event in Eagan today,
http://www.theuptake.org/2012/05/12/burnsville-mn-residents-oppose-education-cuts-four-day-week .