Minnesota Legislature Approves Education Bill, Includes All-Day Kindergarten

A $15.7 billion education package that will "make life easier" for working parents, according to the bill's supporters, now awaits Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton's signature as work begins to wrap up on the 2013 Legislative Session. 

The omnibus bill, which means one version of the bill was introduced in each chamber, was approved with small support from Republicans over the weekend, picking up five GOP votes in the state house and four more in the senate. 

Sen. Ann Rest of New Hope was the lone "no" vote from the DFL side of the aisle in the Senate, creating the 41-26 margin. 

The bill raises the state's method of funding local schools by $156 per pupil for a total of nearly $235 million in new money over the next two years.

The bulk of that is spent on a new all-day, everyday kindergarten program funded at the state, with $134 million appropriated to a program that "will provide funding for districts that want or need it." 

"Currently, 17 percent of Minnesota kindergartners attend all-day programs that are fee-based," said Sen. Greg Clausen, a democrat from Apple Valley. "Traditionally, that cost has been $300 to $400 per month. This creates inequity in our schools, giving only some who can afford the cost the opportunity for all-day, everyday kindergarten." 

At Minnetonka schools, the fee for extended day kindergarten is $4,100 for the year, plus a $100 registration fee. 

"Preschool parents need to count this as a big win," said Minnetonka district spokesperson Janet Swiecichowski. "They actively lobbied for it, and I'm pretty sure it will be a signature accomplishment of the legislative session."

When the idea of funding all-day kindergarten first gained momentum at the State Capitol this session, representatives with the Minnetonka School District said that the funding needed to back up the plan in order for it to be agreeable to the district. First proposals at the state level only funded a percentage of it. 

In the end, the Legislature came through with a fully-funded program. It will begin in fall of 2014, so it will not impact this coming fall's kindergartners.

Swiecichowski said the school board hasn't yet discussed how it will be implemented in Minnetonka. Currently, 70 percent of families elect extended day kindergarten.

"One of the challenges for all school districts will be finding the necessary place for the program," she added.  

The current cost for all-day kindergarten in Eden Prairie is $3,920 per year.

"While we haven't yet had an opportunity to dig into the details, we will likely be moving to a free all-day kindergarten program for the 2014-2015 school year," said Bob Noyed, the district's head of communications.

In the House, the bill passed on a 78-56 vote.

"The bill’s goal is to create the world’s best workforce in Minnesota by closing the achievement gap, reaching a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation — all by 2027," said Rep. Yvonne Selcer, who represents portions of Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. Selcer also sits on the House Education Finance Committee.

Over the past decade, the state has slipped from 10th in the nation in education funding to 22nd. Class sizes, according to state DFL numbers, are 47th in the nation in teacher-to-student ratio.

Funding for the education bill is also tied to the Omnibus Tax Bill, which also passed through the House over the weekend on a party line vote.