Walz, Flanagan propose historic $6 billion investment in E-12 schools
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CHRIS WILLIAMS
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ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Jan. 17, 2023 – Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan proposed a historic, $12 billion investment in the lives of Minnesota children, including $6 billion for education, in their 2023 budget released Tuesday.
“Many Minnesota leaders have talked about how much they value education, but very few have been as committed as Gov. Tim Walz to providing access to a great public school to every student, no matter what they look like, or where they live,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “This is a bold education budget that recognizes the scale of the multi-billion-dollar challenges we’re facing in Minnesota’s classrooms, from staffing, to mental health, to the rising costs of educating students in poverty and with special needs. We’re looking forward to working with the governor, lieutenant governor and legislators to pass an education budget that gives every student and educator, in every ZIP code, the tools they need to succeed.”
Specht said Education Minnesota would work with the Walz administration and legislators to adopt a budget that will improve the learning and working conditions in schools, a vital step toward solving the educator shortage. Among other problems, the lack of teachers and education support professionals has resulted in overcrowded classrooms, under-supervised students and reduced access to subjects like technical education, art, music and world languages.
“Nearly every Minnesotan wants to give our students access to a world-class public school that will allow them to pursue their dreams,” Specht said. “To do that, our state must fix the staffing crisis by attracting young adults to education professions and retaining experienced educators. Minnesota schools need a state budget that creates sustainable working conditions and provides competitive compensation from the first day on the job through a dignified retirement.”
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.
