| 2004-2009 News |  | Links to media coverage and other information resources about public education issues.
|
Bloomington schools must continue to struggle with shortfall
12/31/2009 12:00 AM
Harvey T. Rockwood, Bloomington Sun-Current
Like many metro area school districts, Bloomington Public Schools faced
a daunting task of planning for the district's funding, said Rick
Kaufman, executive director of community relations for the district. |
Closings, cuts challenge Anoka Hennepin School District in 2009
12/31/2009 12:00 AM
Wendy Erlien, MN Sun Newspapers
It has been quite a year. That short statement by Anoka Hennepin
School District Superintendent Dennis Carlson just touches on the tip
of the ice burg of challenges District 11 faced in 2009. Challenges
Carlson expects to see continue into 2010 and beyond without the state
funding more for education. |
Judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts
12/31/2009 12:00 AM
Pat Doyle and Baird Helgeson, Star Tribune
The governor's unilateral budget cuts are ruled improper, which could prompt more lawsuits and a new budget fight. "The Governor crossed the line between legitimate exercise of his authority to unallot and interference with the Legislative power to make laws, including statutes allocating resources and raising revenues." |
Frustrating year financially for Eden Prairie schools
12/31/2009 12:00 AM
Chris Olwell, Eden Prairie Sun-Current
Earlier this month, the Eden Prairie school district cut about $4
million from its 2010-11 budget, completing the process of axing
programs and dozens of jobs that had taken nearly all of 2009. |
Gearin's order changes 2010 game
12/31/2009 12:00 AM
Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune
Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin's order Wednesday blocking one piece of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's midsummer unallotment is far from the final word on the topic -- even from her. |
Dist. 911 OKs 5.8% levy hike for 2010
12/30/2009 12:00 AM
Jon Tatting, Isanti County News
Residents of District 911 can expect almost a 6 percent increase on the
school portion of their 2010 property tax bill if property values
remain the same as last year. |
Minn. colleges ready to begin teacher prep programs in 2010
12/30/2009 12:00 AM
Tim Post, Minnesota Public Radio
St. Paul, Minn. — More than a dozen colleges in Minnesota and the Dakotas will gear up in 2010 in an effort to turn out better teachers. The Minneapolis-based Bush Foundation announced earlier this month it would put $40 million into the initiative over the next ten years. |
Judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts
12/30/2009 12:00 AM
Madeleine Baran and Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio
St. Paul, Minn. — A Minnesota judge has ordered the state to reinstate money for a food program that Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut from the budget, saying he acted unconstitutionally. "The authority of the Governor to unallot is an authority intended to save the state in times of a previously unforeseen budget crisis. It is not meant to be used as a weapon by the executive branch to break a stalemate in budget negotiations with the Legislature, or to rewrite the appropriations bill." |
District tightens belt over holidays
12/30/2009 12:00 AM
Cynthya Porter, Winona Post
Sixty or so District 861 staff will take
three days off — unpaid — this week as part of a budget-cutting measure
approved by the school board last spring. |
In the new decade, let's reinvest in the common good
12/30/2009 12:00 AM
Commentary, Minnesota Public Radio
At least partly because we shrank our public sector by unprecedented levels this decade, we have made college much more expensive, diminished the quality of our public schools, failed to invest in proven early childhood interventions, neglected our roads and bridges and public works infrastructure, and underinvested in health care and economic security for middle- and lower-income households. |
School levy set at $17.5 million
12/29/2009 12:00 AM
Nicholas Backus, Quad Community Press
CIRCLE PINES — Centennial school district will levy the highest amount
yet since a voter-approved tax hike was installed back in 2005. |
A school on the edge
12/28/2009 12:00 AM
Doug Belden, Pioneer Press
Suburban Carver Elementary has missed federal testing targets for four straight years, and teachers and students are feeling the stress as they strive to meet the demands of No Child Left Behind — and avoid closure. |
More education cuts likely in budget crisis
12/28/2009 12:00 AM
Tom Klein, Timberjay News
On top of the possibility that Minnesota may not reimburse districts
for funds withheld this year, districts will likely see a cut in state
aid. But how deep remains uncertain. |
Bring Some Clarity to School Building Debate
12/28/2009 12:00 AM
John Fitzgerald, Minnesota 2020
In the recent folderol about charter school buildings, who is paying to build them and who's getting public money under the table, one important piece of information is missing. |
Levy passed, but cuts coming before it takes effect
12/24/2009 12:00 AM
Brian Hansel, Wadena Pioneer Journal
District 2155 school board members dealt with budget realities that
paint an improved picture since a levy referendum passed in November,
but short-term challenges that need to be met in the interim. |
Dist. 740 certifies 2010 levy
12/24/2009 12:00 AM
Herman J. Lensing, Melrose Beacon
The Melrose Area Public School Dist. 740 Board certified the 2010 payable levy Monday, Dec. 21 at regular meeting. |
One Levy up, another down
12/24/2009 12:00 AM
Mille Lacs County Times
The tax levy for 2010 in the Milaca School District will drop by .68
percent, the exact levy decrease enacted by the Mille Lacs County Board
earlier this month. |
District 194 poised to make $4.2 million in cuts
12/24/2009 12:00 AM
Joseph Palmersheim, Sun Newspapers
District 194 is facing the prospect of cutting nearly $4.3 million from
its 2010-2011 budget, and the public got its first look at what may be
on the chopping block during a Dec. 15 study session. |
NYM school levy set at 10 percent decrease
12/23/2009 12:00 AM
Kevin Cederstrom, East Otter Tail Focus
The New York Mills School Board on Monday set the 2009-10 levy at a total decrease of 10.17 percent over last year. |
Underwood district levy increases
12/23/2009 12:00 AM
Trisha Marczak, Fergus Falls Daily Journal
Underwood’s tax levy is set to increase by 3.4 percent in fiscal year 2009-10. |
Laporte School Board sets 2009 tax levy
12/23/2009 12:00 AM
Dean Morrill, Walker Pilot-Independent
Laporte taxpayers received good news Dec. 14 when the school board
certified the 2009 tax levy. But it also means bad news for the 2010
budget forecast. |
Cultures clash among classmates at SE Minn. schools
12/23/2009 12:00 AM
Elizabeth Baier, Minnesota Public Radio
Abdalla Mursal moved his family from Atlanta to southeastern Minnesota a decade ago to raise his four children in an area with good schools and low crime. |
School levy set at $17.5 million
12/22/2009 12:00 AM
Nicholas Backus, Quad Community Press
CIRCLE PINES — Centennial school district will levy the highest amount
yet since a voter-approved tax hike was installed back in 2005. |
A Race to the Top Shouldn't Have So Many Hoops
12/22/2009 12:00 AM
John Fitzgerald, Minnesota 2020
Race to the Top guidelines require the state Board of Education to sign off on the plan, but Minnesota has no Board of Education. Its Education Commissioner is unelected as well - current commissioner Alice Seagren was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. That means no elected official has any real input into the grant application. |
R&D investment at U of M boosts state
12/21/2009 12:00 AM
Star Tribune Editorial
Legislators need to create conditions to maximize investment. Although not ranked No. 1 yet, one University of Minnesota team recently made the most impressive move of any top 20 school in the country. |
Rural school districts using 4-day weeks to save funds
12/21/2009 12:00 AM
Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio
When it rained in northern Minnesota a few weeks ago, water leaked into a room in Blackduck High School where students had stored art projects just a few hours earlier. Every project was damaged. |
Area school boards set 2010 levies
12/21/2009 12:00 AM
Chuck Hunt and Antonio Acosta, Faribault County Register
Blue Earth Area District- Not every governmental body in Faribault County is raising their tax levy in 2010. |
| | | | | | In This Section | | | | | | |
|
| | Short term borrowing: 1st the schools, now the state... | | November 12, 2009 - State faces cash flow problems - Short-term borrowing may soon be necessary to cover the state’s monthly expenses, state budget officials told a subcommittee of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy, Session Daily.
November 12, 2009 - State might have to borrow to pay bills next year - Minnesota finance officials say they're making plans to borrow money next year to pay the state's bills, Minnesota Public Radio. |
| | Nov. 4, 2009 - Levy Success | In times when many families have lost (or worry about losing) jobs and homes, those yes votes speak volumes about citizen commitment to educating children.
—Star Tribune |
|
