Home » Content

A Conversation with Representative Bly and Senator Dahle

Submitted by Rob Hardy on Mon, 01/04/2010 - 4:38pm

On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, ARTech Charter School will host a discussion with State Senator Kevin Dahle and State Representative David Bly about K-12 education funding.  The discussion will begin at 6:30 pm at the ARTech School building at 1719 Cannon Road (behind the Perkins on Hwy 3) in Northfield.  The discussion will focus on the impact that the hold back of 27% of per pupil education funding by the State of Minnesota is having on charter schools, on the prospects for additional cuts in funding, and on ways for charter schools to work with the legislature on these issues.

Also invited to the discussion will be representatives from Prairie Creek Community School, Cannon River STEM School, Nerstrand Charter School, Discovery Public School, and Minnesota New Country School.  Together, these schools enroll approximately 690 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
 
The hold back, or shifting, of 27% of the current year's funding to future years has forced ARTech, and other charter schools, to seek increased lines of credit in order to pay the bills.  This is causing the school to use funds that would otherwise be used for education to pay significant amounts for interest on the loans.
 
Recently, the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools (MACS) and others have warned charter schools across the state that the Minnesota legislature is considering cuts to public school K-12 funding as a way to address Minnesota's budget deficit.  Charter schools cannot levy taxes to raise money for operations and are almost completely dependent upon per pupil funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature.  Even a minimal cut of 5% in funding from the state would force ARTech to consider letting go of at least one, and possibly as many as three, of the eight licensed teachers who work as advisors in the middle and high school advisories.  Such a move could severely compromise the ability of ARTech to continue to provide excellent individualized education for its students.
 

This is a crucial time in the Minnesota charter school movement.  Please become informed on this extremely important issue by attending the discussion with Senator Dahle and Representative Bly on Tuesday, January 5, at 6:30 pm, at ARTech.

<!--EndFragment-->

AttachmentSize
An evening of Conversation with Senator Dahle and Representative Bly.pdf42.22 KB

»

Bookmark and Share