AMSD Position on Alternative Facilities
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports expanding access to the Alternative Bonding and Levy Program. Program eligibility should be based on the age and condition of the buildings in a school district and not on the number of buildings located in the district.
AMSD Position on Compensatory Revenue
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts believes that the compensatory revenue formula should be enhanced by increasing the base funding for students from low- income families. In addition, it is important that the formula continue to provide additional resources for schools with high concentrations of low-income students so school districts are able to provide the programming and learning opportunities necessary to close the achievement gap.
AMSD Position on Constitutional Amendments
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts opposes any amendment to the state constitution that would require a supermajority vote to raise taxes or use reserve funds, or would restrict the ability of the legislature and governor to use available resources.
AMSD Position on Early Childhood Education
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts believes the State should provide funding to ensure all 3 and 4 year olds have access to quality early childhood programs, or grant levy authority to local school boards to implement such programs.
AMSD Position on Full Day Kindergarten
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports state funding for full-day kindergarten for all of Minnesota’s children.
AMSD Position on Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Funding
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts believes the five year limit on eligibility for Limited English Proficiency funding should be repealed and the formula should be enhanced to provide school districts with the resources needed to ensure that English language learners have the opportunity to achieve State and Federal standards.
AMSD Position on Mandate Reduction and Local Control
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports eliminating unnecessarily restrictive mandates that increase administrative expenses and limit the ability of local school districts to make decisions based on student needs. AMSD further believes that the Governor and Legislature should reverse the trend of centralizing control of public education by broadening the levy and decision-making authority of locally elected school boards.
AMSD Position on School Employee Health Insurance
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts opposes the establishment of a mandatory statewide health insurance pool for school employees.
AMSD Position on School Trust Lands
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports legislative efforts to improve the management of school trust lands and the permanent school fund to maximize the return to Minnesota students.
AMSD Position on Special Education Funding
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports full state and federal funding of special education.
AMSD Position on Transportation Funding
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports the creation of a categorical program to reimburse school districts for the costs of transporting students to and from school consistent with state transportation, school choice and special education mandates.
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts is opposed to the diversion of public funds to nonpublic schools through the use of vouchers. Furthermore, the State should require that any school receiving public aid or enrolling students from families receiving public educational subsidies be accessible to all students and comply with all state laws and rules that are applicable to public schools.