Minnesota 2020 invited educators to submit guest commentary in an effort to highlight issues and challenges they face as we head into a new legislative session. On December 13 they published the viewpoint of Principal B.J. Berg at South Terrace Elementary School in Carlton

What exactly does underfunding look like in my school/district, for students, teachers and parents?

Appropriate funding or lack of appropriate funding really dictates our ability to provide services to the families of our school or district that they have come to expect and demand in today’s society. The need for more money has been the single most discussed topic in our school district over the past few years. On November 2nd, we were able to pass an operating levy referendum of $1,100 PPU which will be in place for the next seven years (past levy amount was $500 PPU).

At least 90% of districts in the state have an operating levy just to make ends meet. Even with the increase to our operating levy we will still be faced with making further reductions in the near future. Our student population over the past ten years has declined which has resulted in less funding, reductions of budgets, reduction of staff and an elimination of programs and services to our students.

(Visit the MESPA Press Room to read the rest of  B.J.'s article.)