Governor’s education budget has right priorities and scale to rebuild and transform public education after the pandemic
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CHRIS WILLIAMS
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 25, 2022 – Education Minnesota responded Tuesday to the presentation by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan of their budget for supporting Minnesota’s children and families.
“The pandemic has pushed students and educators to the breaking point, but the governor’s budget has the right priorities and scale to begin rebuilding and transforming public schools into more safe, welcoming and effective places to learn and work,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “We look forward to working with the governor and state lawmakers to turn this budget into real, lasting improvements in the lives of students and educators.”
The governor’s budget contains dozens of new and increased investments in the lives of the children, including a 2% increase on the main funding formula for public schools, an array of investments to stabilize and diversify the educator workforce, paid family and medical leave, and a commitment to make sure no child goes hungry at school. Specht said the union may have additional comments on those features of the budget, and more, in the future, but on Tuesday wanted to highlight governor’s priorities for addressing the mental health needs of students and educators.
“If there is one thing that educators in every community are concerned about, it’s the mental health of their students after the trauma they have experienced during the pandemic. The lack of mental health resources for children has always been a problem but now it’s a crisis,” Specht said. “The Walz-Flanagan budget recognizes this need and will make a meaningful improvement in the lives of students and educators across the state. I’m looking forward to working with the governor and state legislators to make sure the resources go where they can do the most good.”
For more details on the Walz-Flanagan budget for children, families and education, click here.
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.
