HF 1365

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/07/2013 02:15pm

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; requiring an adequacy study of Minnesota's school
finance system; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA SCHOOL FINANCE SYSTEM STUDY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Data acquisition. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Department of Education
shall assemble cost data necessary for the legislature's consideration when meeting its
constitutional duties to secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout
the state and to ensure that adequate funding is provided to local school districts to fulfill
their statutory responsibilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Professional cost study analysis. new text end

new text begin Subject to the provisions of subdivision
3, the Department of Education shall conduct a professional cost study analysis to
determine the costs of delivering the kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum, related
services, and other programs mandated by state statute for public schools. The department
shall provide a preliminary report to the education committees of the legislature by
February 1, 2014, and deliver its final report by January 1, 2015. The department shall
consult with the leadership of the two caucuses in the house of representatives and senate
on the study design and provide regular reports to the leadership on its progress.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Provisions in study. new text end

new text begin The study must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a review of the services or programs required by state statute to be provided by
school districts including high school graduation requirements, admissions requirements
established by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota,
and proficiency requirements established by law as well as courses of instruction at
various grade levels required pursuant to state statute;
new text end

new text begin (2) a study of the actual costs incurred in a sample of school districts to provide
reasonable estimates of the costs of providing services and programs required by state
statutes to be provided by school districts for regular elementary and secondary education,
including instruction, administration, support staff, supplies, equipment, and building costs;
new text end

new text begin (3) a study of the actual costs incurred in a sample of school districts to provide
reasonable estimates of the costs of providing services and programs required by state
statutes to be provided by school districts for specialized education services including,
but not limited to, special education and related services, bilingual education, and at-risk
programs;
new text end

new text begin (4) recommendations for efficiencies and reforms in the use of state revenues and for
legislation required to implement those efficiencies and reforms;
new text end

new text begin (5) identification of where existing funding is failing to meet educational objectives
established by state law, including Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, and estimates
of the additional funding and any reforms in delivery systems necessary to meet those
objectives;
new text end

new text begin (6) a study of the factors which may contribute to the variations in costs incurred by
school districts of various sizes and in various regions of the state when providing services
or programs required by state statutes to be provided by school districts, including the
administrative costs of providing such services and programs; and
new text end

new text begin (7) any additional reviews or analyses the department considers relevant to the
legislature's decisions regarding the cost of funding services or programs required by state
statutes to be provided by school districts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Contracts authorized. new text end

new text begin The Department of Education may enter into
contracts for consultants as the post auditor deems necessary with consultants, as needed.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2014 from the general fund to the commissioner
of education for the costs associated with the study required in section 1.
new text end