According to the Minnesota Constitution, it shall be the duty of the Legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools (Article 8 Section 1). Unfortunately, there is little uniformity in the manner in which taxpayers are asked to support local public schools.

The disparities in educational opportunities for students in living in different parts of Minnesota continue to increase. A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Department of Education released its annual report of General Education Revenue Disparity. This report shows for the 10th straight year, the gap in funding that is intended to support basic education programs grew markedly between districts. As demonstrated by cuts made by school districts throughout the state this past year, there is little doubt that schools do not have the funds to maintain the quality programs and services we have come to expect. Our system of funding also appears to be getting more inequitable.

The bulk of the funding disparity is caused by the referendum levy. As a result of years of inadequate state funding, 90 percent of Minnesota school districts have had to ask local voters for additional revenue. Depending upon where a child lives, the amount of local levy varies.

Districts with high levels of property wealth have a distinct advantage in passing levy referendums because of the larger property tax base, usually including significant commercial and industrial property. Homeowners in low property wealth districts often have to pay two or three times as much per $100,000 of home value to generate the same amount of revenue per pupil as a high property wealth district. Thus many districts in the metropolitan area receive significantly more revenue, with fewer burdens on the local homeowner than outstate districts such as those in Freeborn County.

During the 2010 session, the Legislature needs to adjust the state’s levy equalization system to bring greater fairness to local taxpayers and the state’s property tax system. Bottom line, we need to align the states program for funding education to ensure it is consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and ensure that all students in Minnesota have access to a quality education.

Mike Funk

superintendent

Albert Lea Area Schools

Albert Lea