Senate Report, by Dan Sparks

Education is the cornerstone of healthy communities and a viable economy. Minnesota’s first leaders recognized its importance by including an obligation for statewide, equitable access to public education in the State Constitution. During my time in the Senate we have always placed a high priority on education, and this year is no different.

Senators presented ideas this week to expand access to early education and technology, address infrastructure needs, help students succeed in school and prepare them for life after their K-12 education is complete. All of the proposals announced this week would have a positive impact on the schools and students in our area. I am looking forward to discussion on these proposals and seeing what can be accomplished at this time.

One key priority of this package is to address school facilities funding, and help property-poor districts repair their aging school facilities. Drawn from recommendations of the School Facilities Financing Working Group, these proposals would put rural districts on more equal footing with their metro neighbors. Today, 25 of the state’s largest school districts are able to access a larger pool of resources than smaller districts; this has allowed them to maintain clean, functional and safe school facilities. The problem is that rural schools also have old buildings in need of repair, but can’t access the same funding due to their size. The Senate is offering up two pieces of legislation to help fix this inequity.

Legislation to expand access to preschool shows a lot of promise. There is sound research supporting the benefits of early education. Many parents would like to have this opportunity for their children, but may be discouraged by cost if a public option is not available in their district. By making pre-k available to all 4-year-olds in Minnesota we are helping the next generation of kids be better prepared for school.

When it comes to student support services, Minnesota’s student to counselor ratio ranks 48th in the nation. The Senate is proposing legislation to increase the services we are offering students. We will also look at opportunities to increase student access to technology. As our world becomes increasingly digitalized, our schools require robust Internet access and Internet-ready devices available to teachers and students in the classroom. Helping students create career paths before they graduate from high school, and providing a real, 21st century education can be incredibly beneficial to them and to Minnesota’s economy in general.

This week I presented a bill that would designate the Shell Rock River as a state water trail. Albert Lea’s lakes and rivers are a key to the city’s identity, economic development and tourism industry. The state has been a good partner in prior efforts at Edgewater Park, Fountain Lake and numerous projects to restore, protect and enhance habitat along our water ways. I was grateful to have Susie Peterson, the Executive Director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Bill Howe, Chair of the Shell Rock River Watershed Advisory Committee here to speak in support of the project. The legislation would include money to mark routes, designating river access and campsites.

If you have questions regarding these or other matters, please contact my office at 651-296-9248.

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the state senator for District 27.