Pat Gleason: K-12 has taken plenty of hits

In her March 22 commentary, "Fodder for the state's sacred cow: Education," Lori Sturdevant perpetuates the myth that K-12 education has been insulated from state budget cuts over the years. That myth has blossomed in the face of a historic budget shortfall.

The governor and the House of Representatives have put forward budget plans that go to great lengths to try to shield education from devastating cuts. But after all is said and done in the 2009 legislative session, school districts across the state will probably still be forced to lay off thousands of staff, increase class sizes, raise fees and cut programs. Education funding from the state has not kept pace with inflation for many years. At the same time, mandates have robbed districts of the freedom to direct resources in a way that best suits the needs of their students.

Since 1991, the basic education funding formula has been frozen six times. Unlike some areas of the state budget, the K-12 general education formula does not have inflationary adjustments built in. If the basic formula allowance had simply kept pace with inflation since 1991, it would be $1,087 per pupil higher than it is today. Instead, more than 90 percent of the state's school districts rely on local voters to approve referenda in order to offer an adequate education.

Six years ago, Minnesota faced a smaller yet significant budget crisis. The final agreement that year cut funding for K-12 education by $185 million. Many of those cuts have yet to be restored, and real per pupil revenue has declined by 5.2 percent since 2003.

Compounding the problem, special education continues to be woefully underfunded. This year, Minnesota school districts are redirecting $569 million meant for general instruction to mandated special-education programming.

Education is a sacred cow? Sounds more like a cow that has been led to slaughter.

Educators hold no illusion that they will escape sharing in the pain. What's needed is an honest conversation with the people of Minnesota and a recommitment to public education. Let's not mislead people into thinking that education will be protected from budget cuts in the short term.

Our state leaders need to think and act strategically to position Minnesota to emerge from the recession poised to compete in a hypercompetitive global economy. No options should be taken off the table, including a statewide salary freeze for public employees and an increase in state taxes.

Educators, parents and staff will continue to reform, restructure, reengineer and reorganize our education system. But we also need state leaders to do their part. They need to protect, to the greatest extent possible, funding for our schools in this challenging time. We also need real relief from the vast array of mandates imposed on local school boards. Most important, state policymakers need to begin to phase in the funding framework outlined in the New Minnesota Miracle proposal.

Pat Gleason is chair of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and a member of the Wayzata Board of Education.