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Duluth board adopts 2026 legislative platform emphasizing school funding and special-education support
Summary
Board adopted the district's 2026 legislative platform, prioritizing increased state funding, fully funded mandates, reductions to the special-education cross‑subsidy, technology and safety investments, and workforce/licensure flexibility; the motion passed 7-0.
The Duluth Public Schools board adopted its 2026 legislative platform after a brief discussion at the December meeting. Member Loeffler Kemp moved the platform, which sets the district's lobbying priorities as the legislature convenes in 2026.
Top priorities in the platform include: increasing the state funding formula for K‑12 schools; fully funding state‑mandated programs; reducing the special‑education cross‑subsidy (the district currently recoups roughly 60¢ on the dollar for special education); funding for technology, safety and infrastructure; transportation aid; and support for career and technical education and educator recruitment/licensure flexibility.
Superintendent Magus asked for a minor wording tweak to refer to a reimbursement "issue" rather than an "error" in describing a past state formula problem; the motion passed by roll call, 7‑0. Members asked that the platform also reflect efforts to expand educator diversity and grow‑your‑own pathways for hiring.
The platform will guide the district's outreach to local legislators and advocacy organizations in preparation for the upcoming session.
