GOP lawmaker proposes scrapping Minnesota school integration aid

A Republican state lawmaker wants to scrap integration aid given to some Minnesota school districts and redirect the money to other education programs.

Rep. Pat Garofalo, of Farmington, said given the state's budget deficit, it's more important than ever to reprioritize spending. His proposal would give all districts a 1 percent increase in funding and boost the school lunch program by $12 million.

"There is simply no excuse for state government to be spending money on a six-step hip-hop program or a kindness retreat," Garofalo said Tuesday, criticizing programs districts have used the money for.

"It's embarrassing these expenditures are even allowed under state law."

Integration aid, started by the Legislature in 1997, is the state's latest strategy to promote voluntary desegregation efforts. This school year, 96 school districts will receive $88.1 million in integration aid.

Most districts can get up to about $129 per student if at least 15 percent of its students are minorities. The St. Paul and Minneapolis districts qualify for more. Districts with lower minority enrollment also can get funding if they partner with neighboring districts.

A 2005 legislative auditor's report found the integration program lacked focus and oversight and needed to be retooled. It questioned whether some of the spending actually promoted diversity and desegregation.

Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Finance Division, said the Garofalo bill probably would get a hearing in her committee. But she prefers a bill introduced Monday by fellow Democrats that would retool the existing program.

The DFL legislation would direct funding to districts with a higher percentage of minority students and greater integration, which isn't always the case under the current formula, said Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids.

For example, Brooklyn Center received about $240,000 in integration aid this year. About 73 percent of its students are minorities. Stillwater, with 8 percent minority enrollment, got almost $1 million.

Under the DFL proposal, Brooklyn Center's integration funding would triple and Stillwater would be ineligible for the program.

The DFL bill also clarifies the program's purpose, which includes closing the achievement gap between minority students and their white peers.

"It redistributes the money to make sure it really is going to the districts with more concentrated minority populations," Newton said. "And it also makes sure desegregation aid is used for its intended purpose."

Megan Boldt can be reached at 651-228-5495.