I attended the legislative update at Brookside Education Center last week. I was pleased with the attendance from local residents who were seeking accurate information from our Rep. Rich Murray and other representatives from the Education Policy and Finance committees. It was good to hear that in spite of Minnesota budget deficit they are not going to cut the education budget, and we will receive an increased amount per student. They also explained that some of the smaller schools in our area and throughout the state receive more per student because they do not have access to the options for service that larger communities have.

It is true we will not get as much as we want, we never do. We, locally as well as the Legislature, need to weigh what we have to work with and use it to the best advantage.

Another thing they are working on is the equalization formula. This has needed to be reformed for many years. Students from all of Minnesota should have equal opportunity. This is an issue that all outstate legislators should be working on together, regardless of their party affiliation. It is good that this legislature is trying to address this.

Carol Nelson

Clarks Grove