State Senator Steve Drazkowski discussed education funding briefly with the Red Wing School Board at their last meeting on February 6th.
Several bills are making their way through the 2023 Legislature. Minnesota has a projected budget surplus of more than $17 billion.
The senator, who attended the meeting virtually, indicated his belief that budget discussions, and therefore potentially more education funding, will get serious after a revised financial forecast is released at month's end.
Of particular interest locally, Chair Jim Bryant said, is the full funding of special education. Red Wing Public Schools takes $3 million to $4 million a year from its general budget to fulfill state and federal mandates for special education.
The senator said he will not support universal school meals, but acknowledged that he expects lawmakers to pass it.
In other board action, they approved academic calendars for both 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, discussed proposed Therapy Animals in Schools and approved Service Animals in Schools.
The board also met in closed session for Interim Superintendent Frank Norton's evaluation. The board will make a summary public at their Feb. 21 meeting.
Comentarios