What’s at Stake for Schools this Legislative Session?
The final four weeks of the Minnesota legislative session could bring support for teacher pensions, special education, school safety, school readiness and broadband. The House and Senate currently are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ag2School Gives Farmers Significant Tax Relief
Minnesota’s new Ag2School 40 percent tax credit has nearly tripled the state share of school district debt service payments to 6 percent from 2017 to 2018. The distribution of the state share also has...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Impact of New Long Term Facility Maintenance Funding
The three-year phase of the new Long Term Facility Maintenance Revenue (LTFMR) will be completed in the 18-19 school year. The median increase in funding for school districts in Minnesota for long-term...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nov. 6 Marks Key Date for 45 School Districts in Minnesota
The Nov. 6 election will be a key for 45 rural school districts in Minnesota. Nineteen of them will seek approval for facility bonds and 26 of them are holding operating referendum elections. Bond...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Map Shows New School Safety Grants
A total of 204 school districts and 69 charters, cooperatives and state academies applied and received no funding through the new state school safety grants announced this past week. Only 13 districts...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Marquart Seeks to Increase Ag2School Credit to 100%
House Tax Chair Paul Marquart has brought forth a bill to increase the Ag2School Bond Credit to 100 percent. “2% of Americans live on farms, but ag land averages 34 percent of Minnesota school...
View ArticleAg2School, Tier 2 Equalization Included in Special Session Tax Bill
The Omnibus Tax Bill released for a Special Session includes increases to the Ag2School tax credit for farmers and to Tier 2 equalization factor for operating referendums. Ag2School would increase from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
State Property Tax Changes Impact School Finance: What to Consider
The 2019 Legislative Special Session made three property tax changes that impact school finances. Minnesota school district leaders should take a careful look at the implications of these property tax...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Greater Minnesota Lags Metro by 51% in School District Wealth
Minnesota faces an increasing rural-metro disparity in local Referendum Market Value (property wealth1) per pupil with Greater Minnesota lagging the metro by 51 percent, according to a new map...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Maps Show Impact of Ag2School Tax Credit
Minnesota’s large amount of agriculture and timber land has impacted the funding schools receive from communities for their facilities and led lawmakers to take steps to provide support to taxpayers...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Need for Cooperative Facilities Grows in Greater Minnesota
Schools lack space for high-need students. Greater Minnesota school districts rely on cooperatives to help provide specialized instructional programs and facilities for high-need students. Together...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ag2School Provides Support for School Facility Bonds
This November, rural voters receive a helping hand from the state to help fund facility updates for their local public schools. The Ag2School tax credit, enacted in 2017, will increase from 40 percent...
View ArticleSchool Referendum Pass Rate Increases in Rural Minnesota
Rural Minnesota voters in 43 school districts on Tuesday approved bond referendums or operating referendum increases. Five of those communities approved both a bond referendum and operating referendum...
View ArticleWhat to Expect as 2020 Legislative Session Begins
As the Minnesota Legislature prepares to convene for the 2020 Session on Tuesday, a key focus is expected to be bonding. MREA also will be advocating to address teacher shortages and cooperative...
View ArticleSome Rural Schools Proceed with Referendums
While the coronavirus pandemic led many school districts to postpone or cancel plans for special elections on bond referendums, other rural school districts held elections this past week and are...
View ArticleSpecial Session Continues: School Levy Equalization
The summer’s second special session of the Minnesota Legislature resumes at 10 am today. A proposal to improve special levy equalization is being considered as part of a deal. After a feisty start last...
View Article48 Minnesota School Districts Have Referendums on Nov. 3 Ballot
Voters in 48 Minnesota school districts will vote in the Nov. 3 election for bond or operating referendums to fund needs for students in their communities. Only four of them are in the 7-county Twin...
View Article