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Superintendent warns of state funding cuts, will testify at Capitol
Summary
Kenyon-Wanamingo superintendent told the board that proposed state budget changes would cut multiple education funding streams; she said she will testify in St. Paul and urged the board to monitor implications for local programs and levies.
The superintendent reported on recent state budget proposals that, according to the superintendent's summary, include the elimination of long-term facilities funding for charter schools (cited as about $20 million statewide), reductions to special-education charter adjustments (cited roughly $21 million), reductions in library aid and other grant programs, and an aggregate multi-year figure the superintendent said would represent approximately $450 million in cuts by 2029.
The superintendent said she will represent the district and testify in St. Paul on several issues, including a meal-policy nuance that requires students to take a full meal to receive milk; she emphasized the waste and student impact of that rule. "Kids should be able to grab a milk and not have to take the whole lunch," she said, and indicated she would press lawmakers in testimony. The superintendent also provided an enrollment update (39 kindergarten registrations signed and about 52 families toured or indicated intent), and said staffing decisions will be finalized after August 1 enrollment confirmations where appropriate.
Board members thanked the superintendent for the update and asked staff to circulate more detailed memos on the bills of interest so the board can consider levy or local mitigation options if the state package moves forward.
