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Rural districts push for higher state consolidation aid to keep small schools open
Summary
Representatives from two Carlton County districts urged the Education Finance Committee to update Minnesota's consolidation aid formula and consider micro-districts, saying current aid has not kept pace with inflation and consolidation costs threaten small-town schools.
Representatives of two small northeastern Minnesota school districts urged the House Education Finance Committee on March 25 to increase state consolidation aid and pay attention to the needs of "micro" rural districts.
Renshaw School Board Chair Mary Carlson and Carleton School Board Chair Laura Nielsen testified in favor of House File 827, a bill sponsored by Representative Dotseth that would increase one-time consolidation aid for districts that merge. Carlson said Renshaw serves 343 students and faces about a 5 percent budget cut in the current forecast; she said Carlton faces roughly a 10 percent cut. Carlson told…
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