GOP Plan Underfunds Rosemont-Apple Valley Schools: Erin Maye Quade

APPLE VALLEY, MN — Apple Valley's DFL Rep. Erin Maye Quade hosted an education forum last Saturday as legislative leaders begin negotiating Minnesota’s education budget. In attendance was School District 196 Board Member Sachin Isaacs.

“It is clear parents, teachers, and students are concerned about cuts in the classroom,” Quade said in a statement. “It is shocking the House Republican bill eliminates popular programs in our district like voluntary pre-kindergarten and underfunds our schools when we have a $1.65 billion surplus. Fully funding our schools shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Our voluntary pre-kindergarten program is filled to capacity with growing demand.”

Quade said the House Republican plan includes $8.1 million less general fund spending for education than Governor Mark Dayton’s budget for the Rosemont-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, and $2.6 million less funding for voluntary pre-kindergarten than Dayton’s budget for the district, eliminating the program.

"I am disappointed with the priorities of the majority party, as I believe investing in public education should be ahead of other legislative-funded initiatives,” said Apple Valley DFL Senator Greg Clausen.

“Without a full 2% increase each year, school districts will be forced to make drastic cuts. The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District has stated that under the Senate proposal, there would be an estimated $17 million in cuts to staff and programs over three years. Education has always been a pathway to a better life and an educated workforce is Minnesota's number one asset."

Quade said Minnesota schools are currently funded below 2002 levels including inflation, which was when she was still attending Eastview High School.

Image via Minnesota House of Representatives