Minnesota governor’s 2025 education proposal trims several programs, draws concern from senators

The Minnesota Department of Education and the Department of Children, Youth and Families outlined the governor’s 2025 education budget proposal at an informational hearing of the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee, laying out proposed cuts and targeted investments that agency officials said are intended to help close a projected budget shortfall.

The proposal, presented by department staff including Ado Shuni, director of government relations for the Minnesota Department of Education, and Kathy Erickson, director of school finance, would reduce or eliminate a number of targeted aid streams — including nonpublic pupil transportation and nonpublic pupil education aid, parts of QComp (alternative teacher compensation), and several special‑education reimbursements — while adding funds for fraud prevention, legal services and one‑time supports to help with implementation.

Committee members and agency staff stressed the package is a starting point for negotiation. "This is a starting place for a conversation around this incredibly important and difficult task," Ado Shuni told the committee. Senators from both parties raised questions about the effects of proposed cuts on students, charter schools and teacher compensation.

Most significant reductions in the governor’s package, as the department described them:

- Nonpublic pupil transportation: The governor proposes eliminating the state aid for transporting nonpublic (private) pupils beginning in fiscal year 2026. Kathy Erickson told the committee the change would reduce state spending by about $57.5 million in the first affected biennium (fiscal 2026–27) and about $61.3 million in the following period; the bill would also remove the statutory obligation for districts to provide that transportation.

- Nonpublic pupil education aid: The budget would eliminate state aid that helps pay textbook, testing and certain health…