DULUTH, MN (Northern News Now) – Students at Lincoln Park Middle School in Duluth had the unique opportunity to interact with state lawmakers as they embarked on a tour through classrooms to witness firsthand the positive outcomes of the recent education bill.
Witnessing the Education Bill’s Impact
A delegation from the Minnesota Senate Education Committee, including Democratic Senator Mary Kunesh of New Brighton, made the rounds of schools across the state on Wednesday, gaining insights into the bill’s impact. Senator Kunesh was one of the key figures in successfully advancing the education bill through the legislative process last May.
Visibly impressed by what she observed during the tour, Kunesh commented, “What we’re seeing are phenomenal teachers, phenomenal administrators with a lot of great kids who are really doing their best with what they have.”
The Contribution of the Law
The education bill, signed into law by Governor Tim Walz, allocates $2.2 billion in funding for various educational initiatives. These include bolstering mental health resources, expanding library services, improving special education provisions, and increasing the hiring of school nurses and counselors.
Principal Brian Kazmierczak expressed his gratitude for the newfound support the education bill has provided to both his staff and students. “If education is funded, our kids benefit, our staff benefits,” said Kazmierczak. “We can provide services to students that we may not be able to provide otherwise.”
Mental Health Resources to be a Crucial Component of the Bill
Mental health resources have emerged as a critical component of the bill, with Senator Steve Cwodzinski actively advocating for these provisions. He emphasized the significance of addressing mental health issues within educational institutions. “I know that counseling departments, a few of us have said that they’ve hired a new counselor because that was an important part of the bill was the mental health of our students and our teachers,” noted Cwodzinski.
Related: Texas House Bill 1 Proposes Education Funding Boost in Exchange for Voucher Program
Still Polishing the Law
Although substantial progress has been made through the education bill, lawmakers acknowledge that there is still much work to be done to ensure the comprehensive support of schools and students. “We’re still hearing that the cost of transporting kids is really tough,” said Senator Kunesh. “Some of the issues around behavioral modification still need to be addressed.”
Insights to be used and worked on
The Senate Education Committee is committed to using the insights gathered during their school visits to inform their legislative agenda for the 2024 session. Their aim is to ensure that Minnesota’s educational institutions continue to receive the necessary resources to foster the success of both students and educators.
