- St. Michael-Albertville Schools
- STMA Legislative Advocacy
STMA Legislative Action
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STMA is ranked 325 out of 327 in per-pupil revenue among school districts in MN. Almost DEAD LAST.
Article XIII of the MN Constitution clearly states "it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools." Yet, STMA receives $8,073 per pupil unit compared to the state average of $9,499---that is $1,426 (or 15%) LESS per pupil. That means FEWER opportunities for our students---less art, fewer advanced classes, less music, fewer world languages, etc. That is not uniform nor is it fair. Click here for additional information.
STMA has worked hard to increase student achievement and offer exceptional educational opportunities to help students develop their full potential and build character. In order for us to maintain this investment in our students, we need to find a way of funding public schools that create greater equity for all students regardless of their zip code. ALL students deserve support and opportunities for students should not be determined by where their parents choose to live.
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Why School Funding Matters to You and YOUR Child
In FY2020, STMA joined the Lake Conference. While we are similar to districts in the Lake Conference in academics, arts, activities, and athletics, in funding we are very different.
Yes, folks, the Hopkins School District receives $4,710 more per pupil than STMA! That’s a difference of over $31 million per year!
Our state's current policy for funding public education is grossly inequitable, irrational, and inexplicable.
- STMA ranks 325/327--- Almost DEAD LAST--- in general education per-pupil revenue among 330 Minnesota public school districts. To learn more click here.
- Our students receive $9,362 per pupil in general education state aid while students from Burnsville receive $14,549 and students in Richfield receive $13,963. This means fewer opportunities for our students --- less art, less music, fewer advanced classes, fewer world languages, etc.
- Inadequate state funding has created large disparities for taxpayers. STMA taxpayers pay more than their counterparts in nearby school districts. For example, for a $1,919 per pupil levy STMA taxpayers would pay $1,130/yr. while taxpayers in neighboring Hopkins would pay $291/year---$839 more! To learn more, click here.
- The State of MN does not fully fund special education despite a plethora of mandates. For example, in FY2020 STMA diverted $4.5 million or $677 per pupil of funding meant for regular education classroom instruction to cover mandated but unreimbursed special education programming. The $4.5 million that STMA must divert from its general fund to pay for special education mandates substantially limits opportunities for all STMA students. To learn more click here.
- 87.0% of STMA general revenue is from state aid. However, data shows that the basic state aid formula has eroded significantly since 1991 as funding has not kept up with inflation. STMA would receive $1,605 per pupil if inflation were factored in. To learn more click here. Watch this video to learn more about school funding at STMA.
- Watch this video to learn more and see how you can help to ensure that all Minnesota students have the same educational opportunities.
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2022 Legislative Forum
Help us advocate for our students at our 2022 Legislative Forum! Join us on January 19, 2022 for a legislative forum on school funding. The forum is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the auditorium of Discovery Elementary School 214 1st Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN.
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Call To Action!
This is the last week of the 2022 legislative session. Conference committees have been formed and there is a lot of work to complete in the next couple of days. We need your help!
This Call to Action focuses on equalization aid. Equalization aid is state money that would lower property taxes and make the school funding system more equitable for STMA students, staff, and taxpayers. It would also make future levies more affordable.
Please contact the tax conference committee members and local legislators listed below and ask them to address property tax fairness by increasing equalization of the local option revenue and expanding equalization aid for the operating referendum and the debt service levy.
Click here to review background information on equalization aid sent in the April 24 Call to Action.
FORM LETTER
Please help by copying the addresses listed below into an email and ask legislators to increase and expand equalization aid. Feel free to draft your own email or use the one below.
sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn, rep.eric.lucero@house.mn, rep.paul.marquart@house.mn, rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn, rep.dave.lislegard@house.mn, rep.liz.olson@house.mn, rep.greg.davids@house.mn, sen.carla.nelson@senate.mn, sen.bill.weber@senate.mn, sen.tom.bakk@senate.mn, sen.paul.gazelka@sen.mn, sen.ann.rest@senate.mn
Dear [insert name],
Thank you for your support of students in the St. Michael-Albertville School District as well as students across Minnesota.
Please address property tax fairness by increasing equalization of the local option revenue and expanding equalization aid for the operating referendum and the debt service levy. This would make the school funding system more equitable for students, staff, and taxpayers.
[Insert concise, personal story about how equalization aid impacts you and/or your child(ren). You can talk about missed opportunities such as larger class sizes, staff cuts (77 total in the last two years), expanded walk zone, increase in fees, etc.]
With an unprecedented budget surplus, the time is now to take a step forward in promoting greater tax fairness for property taxpayers in low property wealth school districts such as STMA.
Thank you for your time and for advocating for all students.
Respectfully,
Your Name
Postal Address (include so they know you are a constituent), email address, & possibly phone number
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY! Please take the time to have your voice heard. Thanks, in advance, for your advocacy and support of STMA students, staff, and taxpayers.
For additional information about school funding and legislative advocacy, please visit the STMA Legislative Page. To join the STMA Legislative Advocacy Team, click here.
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Bills We Are Watching
- HF3232 Increases long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) revenue, increases local optional revenue (LOR), provides enhanced debt service equalization aid, and increases equalization aid which reduces school district property taxes. District run
- HF2944 Eliminates special education cross subsidy. District run
- HF2657 Eliminates El cross subsidy. District run
- SF3380 Safe Schools; Increases formula amount from $36 to $44 with increase in state aid not in levy. Expands use of funds.
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STMA 2022 Legislative Platform
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How To Take Action
“We in America do not have a government by the majority. We have a government by the majority who participate.”
~Thomas Jefferson
YOUR voice MATTERS! Please take the time to have your voice heard regarding these very important issues. Thanks, in advance, for your advocacy and support of STMA Schools!
According to the Congressional Management Foundation, if a legislator has not already arrived at a firm decision on an issue, YOU can influence his/her decision by using advocacy strategies. See below for advocacy strategies and the percentage of influence.- In-Person Visit---94%
- Email w/ Personalized Message Describing Impact---92%
- Letter w/ Personalized Message Describing Impact ---88%
- Phone Call---84%
- Form Email---56%
- Form Letter---50%
Ways to Advocate for STMA Students and Schools:
1. Schedule an In-Person Visit2. Send an Email
3. Make a Phone Call4. Stay Informed
Follow on social media:
Post on your own social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter)
5. Repeat, Repeat, RepeatKeep these tips in mind when making an in-person visit, sending an e-mail, or sending a letter.
- Start by thanking them for their support and work in advocating for STMA children.
- Think about how to deliver a concise and clear message that is brief (think 5-7 minutes maximum)
- Be clear on goals (why are you visiting/writing/e-mailing?)
- Know your issue (what is your concern?)
- Clearly state “the ask” (what do you want?)
- Connect the issue to STMA (how does it affect YOUR child, community, grandchild, etc.); They do not want a form letter; it is critical to tell YOUR story and how it affects YOUR child(ren)
- Follow-up ASAP
Sample Letter:
Dear Senator Kiffmeyer,
Thank you for your support of students in the St. Michael-Albertville School District.
Please support bill [name] [list bill number if known (i.e. SF936)]. Describe how the bill would impact STMA Schools. For example, you may say … STMA receives significantly less funding than other school districts in Minnesota. We currently rank 325 out of 327 Minnesota School Districts in general education per pupil revenue. In fact, STMA students receive $9,362 per pupil in state aid while students from Burnsville receive $14,549 and students in Richfield receive $13,963. Children should not be penalized for choosing to live in the STMA community. Please help STMA students by fixing this disparity.
Insert concise, personal story about how this issue impacts YOU and YOUR child(ren). You can talk about missed opportunities such as fewer world language options, fewer advanced classes, fewer art/music options, fewer elective options, etc.
Thank you for your time and for advocating for STMA students.
Respectfully,
Your NamePostal Address (include so they know you are a constituent), email address, & possibly phone number
Resources:
- Where Do You Live?
- Schools for Equity in Education (SEE)
- Video -- Minnesota's Educational Opportunity Gap -- Where do you live?
- Legislation and Bill Status Resource
- Who Represents Me?
- Governor's Website
Contacts: