[0:00] After headlines across Minnesota [0:02] declared record school funding in 2023, [0:05] you may be asking yourself, why are so many school [0:08] districts making budget cuts [0:10] and going to voters for more funding? [0:13] Here are the top reasons Minnesota schools [0:16] are struggling to balance budgets. [0:19] Number one, inflation. [0:21] Families aren't the only ones feeling the impact [0:24] of rising costs. [0:25] For school districts, the costs of labor, [0:28] health insurance, property insurance and school [0:30] bus transportation continue to rise. [0:34] The 2023 inflationary increase [0:36] to the general education formula is a step forward, [0:39] but it doesn't make up for decades of underfunding [0:42] and failing to keep up with rising inflationary costs. [0:47] Number two, unfunded and underfunded mandates [0:51] from the state. [0:52] When it comes to some of the most [0:53] costly things schools have to pay for, [0:56] it's the state legislature, [0:57] not the local school board who makes these decisions. [1:01] From implementing new instructional strategies, [1:04] to increasing curricular requirements, [1:06] to providing unemployment benefits, there are decisions [1:09] made at the state level that local districts must follow. [1:13] While the state may offer one-time funds [1:16] to help pay for some new requirements, [1:18] the ongoing costs are often [1:20] the school district's responsibility. [1:23] And number three, [1:24] the changing role of schools in our communities. [1:28] The needs of students are different than they were [1:30] 10, 20 or 30 plus years ago. [1:33] From mental health support for students, specialized [1:36] learning assistance, family resources and career programs [1:40] to help meet workforce needs, schools have taken on [1:43] additional responsibilities to meet [1:45] the needs of their students and community. [1:48] When you add rising safety needs, aging [1:51] buildings and technology, and declining birth rates, [1:54] it's clear why Minnesota [1:56] districts struggle to balance their budgets. [1:59] School funding is complex, [2:02] with the majority [2:03] of funding coming [2:04] through the state in the form of general education aid. [2:07] Schools also receive funds for specific categories [2:10] that can only be spent on certain items. [2:13] Additional needs are then covered by property taxes. [2:18] In other words, just because the state is providing us [2:21] with more dollars doesn't mean [2:22] we can use those dollars wherever we like. [2:25] Each year, we tackle the challenge [2:27] of balancing [2:28] these funding sources with our increasing expenses [2:31] to build an effective budget that meets student needs. [2:35] When our student needs exceeds [2:37] state and local funding, we may seek [2:39] additional support through a referendum. [2:43] As you can see, there's more to the story [2:45] beyond headlines of schools receiving record funding: [2:48] inflation, unfunded mandates and a changing role [2:52] for schools. [2:54] Funding schools is an investment [2:56] in our students, community, and future. [2:59] Please reach out to your elected officials [3:01] and share your story [3:03] so they can help do their part [3:04] to make sure our students and our schools are receiving [3:08] the resources they need for success. [3:12] Visit our website to learn more.