Minnesota school leaders warn cuts to nonpublic pupil aid, transportation would hit low‑income and special‑needs students

Meg Forgette, associate director for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Office for Catholic Education, and more than a dozen leaders of Catholic, Lutheran and independent schools told the Senate Education Finance Committee on Feb. 5 that Governor Tim Walz’s proposed budget cut of nonpublic pupil aid and transportation funding would remove critical services from students who do not attend public schools.

Those services include part‑time nurses, counseling, textbooks and bus transportation that many schools said are essential for low‑income families, students with disabilities and English learners to attend and succeed in their chosen schools. “Please do not allow the governor’s budget to discriminate against non‑public students and their families,” Meg Forgette said, identifying herself as associate director for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Office for Catholic Education.

The testimony came at a public hearing of the Senate Education Finance Committee where school leaders from the Twin Cities metro area and greater Minnesota described how state aid covers nursing…