Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Budget And Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board warned of $1.9 million compensatory funding loss tied to free lunch-for-all debate
Summary
District leaders told the board that statewide changes to free lunch eligibility have the side effect of shifting roughly $1.9 million in compensatory education funding away from students in poverty, while also creating about $400,000 in food dollars that go to families not previously qualifying for free meals.
District leaders briefed the Richfield School Board on May 19 about pending state budget decisions they said could materially affect district funding.
The legislature had not concluded business by the constitutional adjournment date, and staff warned a special session was likely. The administration highlighted two interrelated issues: (1) a recent policy change that implemented free lunch for all students in Minnesota schools and (2) whether the legislature will approve compensatory education "hold harmless" funding for districts.
District staff explained that an estimated $1.9 million in compensatory education funding for Richfield is at stake if hold harmless language is not preserved. The board was told the free lunch‑for‑all policy generated approximately $400,000 in additional food funding that benefits students who previously did not qualify for free or reduced‑price meals; staff characterized this as money flowing to families who are not living in poverty while the compensatory funding that supports students in need could be reduced by $1.9 million.
Officials said the district is part of statewide advocacy asking legislators and the governor to protect compensatory education hold harmless language in any final agreements because the hold harmless funding supports reading, math and other targeted supports for students living in poverty. Staff also noted other items under negotiation at the Capitol, including temporary unemployment insurance funding and possible statutory changes allowing some districts to begin school before Labor Day in certain years; the administration said these calendar rules could affect future district calendar committee planning.
The board did not take an action on the update; staff asked board members and the community to contact legislative leaders to support retention of compensatory hold harmless funding.
