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ST. PAUL, Minn. Dec. 3, 2015 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement in response to the projected budget surplus of nearly $1.9 billion.

“Congress is about to return nearly unprecedented authority over Minnesota schools to state leaders as part of the re-authorization of the No Child Left Behind law,” Specht said. “We urge lawmakers to take this opportunity to reimagine how Minnesota schools can prepare all students for successful lives. This surplus could be the way to pay for it.”

“We can ensure all children have an equal opportunity to arrive at kindergarten ready to learn, and every child can attend a school with small class sizes and with services in place to meet the needs of that school’s students and their families,” Specht said. “The strength of our state’s economy, and several years of no-gimmick budgets, has put this goal within reach.”

“The shortage of qualified teachers will also demand the attention of lawmakers this spring,” Specht said. “We urge them help us recruit and retain more licensed educators, particularly teachers of color. It is also past time for the Legislature to fully fund the 2011 Teacher Development and Evaluation law, which will help Minnesota teachers improve their craft throughout their careers.”

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.