Family October 2024 Knight Line

You may have noticed media headlines highlighting "historic" and "unprecedented" education funding passed in recent legislative sessions. Indeed, in 2023, lawmakers approved a $2.3 billion increase in funding for public schools. Despite this, many districts across Minnesota, including STMA, are still grappling with significant budget shortfalls. How can this be when these messages seem contradictory? While we appreciate the additional support, it's important to recognize that STMA, like many other districts, continues to face financial challenges. So, what’s really happening?

There are several reasons many Minnesota districts, including STMA, continue to experience substantial budget challenges including:

1. Perennially Lagging Funding Streams: Key funding sources that support staff salaries, transportation, and other operational costs have consistently failed to keep pace with inflation, placing a significant burden on school districts. If the basic formula, the main source of general education funding, were adjusted to account for inflation, districts would receive an additional $1,356 per student. Similarly, adjusting Local Optional Revenue (LOR) for inflation would result in an additional $182 per student. For STMA, these combined adjustments would amount to an additional $10.9 million annually.

2. Categorical Funding Well Below State Average: Categorical revenue is generally used to support specific programs that vary significantly between school districts. STMA receives $8,681 per pupil in categorical funding while the state average is $10,708 per pupil. If STMA received just the state average, it would mean an additional $2,027 per pupil or $14.4 million annually.

3. Unprecedented New Mandates for School Districts: Districts are grappling with new and unprecedented requirements. There are many new mandates that are partially or not funded and put a strain on limited staff. Mandates include numerous curriculum changes, professional development requirements for staff, labor related requirements, and more. These demands consume a substantial amount of time and resources, diverting our focus from our core mission of educating and caring for our students.

4. High Inflation and Staffing Shortages: High inflation and staffing shortages pose significant challenges. In the past, we could bring in staff at a standard rate of pay, but due to staffing shortages, we are now forced to hire staff at considerably higher costs. In a similar vein, we've implemented various measures to staff our schools, including hiring bonuses, additional compensation for current staff, increased substitute pay, and more. At the same time, much like our own households, the cost of goods and services (utilities, food, supplies, insurance) has risen sharply, further straining our budget.

5. Funding Limitations: While the recent "historic" investment in education provided additional revenue, much of it cannot be allocated toward our greatest need—salaries for staff, which make up 80% of our general education budget. For example, the state's significant investment in free breakfast and lunch programs is beneficial, but these funds cannot be used to hire more teachers to reduce class sizes or to support programs like high-potential or interventions for struggling students.

6. Inequities in the School Property Tax System: Minnesota’s education funding is structured as a partnership between the state and local communities. However, at STMA, only 8% of the general fund revenue comes from local property taxes, compared to the state average of 21%. This discrepancy exists because STMA does not have a voter-approved operating levy. The gap between districts with and without operating levies creates a significant opportunity disparity, negatively impacting students in districts like STMA. The cost of generating school revenue through an operating levy is tied to the commercial property base of a district. Unfortunately, the STMA community is "property poor," meaning it has limited commercial and industrial development to broaden the tax base, leaving residential homeowners to bear most of the tax burden. As a result, STMA taxpayers would pay substantially more for an operating levy than those in “property-rich” districts with extensive commercial and industrial development. Legislators must address this inequity by increasing state equalization aid to alleviate the tax burden on residents in property-poor districts.

7. Fluctuations in Enrollment: The unpredictable nature of student enrollment poses additional budgetary challenges for many districts. Although this factor has a relatively minor impact on STMA, we have lost enrollment due to factors such as online schools and homeschooling.

As the 2025 legislative session approaches on January 7, we need your support in advocating for fair funding for our students. Consider joining the STMA Legislative Action Team and/or attending the 2025 STMA Legislative Forum on January 2. Visit the STMA website for additional information.

The current funding system falls short in meeting the needs of students who are our future. We cannot build a better tomorrow without ensuring adequate resources today. We remain hopeful that legislators understand this was a move in the right direction, but it does not close the gap created by past underfunding. Our students deserve more, and their future depends on the support we provide now.

Source: The Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), MN Department of Education (MDE), and Schools Advocating for Fair Funding (SAFF)

Enrollment in the district continues to stabilize. This is in close alignment with the latest demographic study that predicted enrollment will increase by just 0.2%-1.0% annually through 2026. Per October 1, 2024 state reporting enrollment data, our current K-12 enrollment count is 6,707. Last year on October 1, 2023, our enrollment count was 6,641. This is an increase of 66 students or 0.98%.

Many have inquired how our enrollment could be stabilizing despite the new housing developments and apartments being built across the community. The reason is that we are graduating more students than we are enrolling. For example, this year’s kindergarten class has 425 students, while our grade 12 graduating class has 603 students. That’s a difference of 178 students, with more students leaving the district than entering each year.

Enrollment Facts:

• Largest Class: 609 students (grade 11)
• Class of 2025: 603 students (grade 12)
• Class of 2037: 425 students (kindergarten)
• STMA Online: 66 students comprehensive (100% online); 251 students supplemental (up to 50% of classes online)

See the fall enrollment report for additional enrollment information.

We are incredibly proud of our open-enrolled students, who are an essential part of our STMA family. We are grateful they have chosen our district, enriching our schools in countless ways. Their presence helps us offer even more opportunities to all students, opportunities that would not be possible without them.

This year, we are excited to welcome 1,498 students through open enrollment. Our schools have ample space, and all of our buildings remain well below capacity. Open-enrolled students are not only part of the STMA family but also contribute significantly to our funding. Through general education state aid, they generate approximately $10.7 million annually, which is equivalent to 133.7 teachers. In fact, every seven open-enrolled students allow us to add 1.0 full-time teaching position.

The 2025 legislative session begins on January 7, and we remain committed to advocating for equitable funding for schools. Democracy requires participation, and this session is critically important for STMA. The decisions made during this legislative session will affect every STMA student, staff member, and family—whether positively or negatively.

We invite you to join us in advocating for our students and staff at the annual STMA Legislative Forum on January 2, at 6:00 p.m., in the STMA Middle School West Auditorium. The forum will feature speakers from our student body, staff, and families, along with a Q&A session with invited legislators. We are extending invitations to local lawmakers as well as members of the House and Senate Education Finance and Policy Committees. Click on the graphic for more details.

Here are additional ways you can help ADVOCATE for our students and staff:

• Stay informed. Regularly check the STMA Legislative webpage for updates and important information.

• Educate and engage others. Share factual information with neighbors, friends, and community members to build support and encourage advocacy.

• Advocate directly with legislators. Reach out to local legislators by phone, email, or in-person visits. You can find contact information for local representatives and education committee members on the STMA Legislative webpage.

• Join the STMA Legislative Advocacy Team (LAT). Visit the LAT webpage for information on how to join. Members can serve on the steering team or participate in Calls to Action. Click here to sign up and stay updated!

Your voice matters. Let’s raise it together and make an impact!

We are excited to implement the Character Strong curriculum across all grades this year! Character Strong offers vertically aligned lessons aimed at fostering character development, strengthening relationships by intentionally teaching key character traits, and enhancing social and emotional skills. Each month, we will highlight a specific character trait. In November, we will focus on gratitude—join us as we teach, model, and celebrate this important value together.

We are excited to announce the substitute teacher and substitute support staff training dates for the 2024-2025 school year. This training is essential for all new and returning substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals to ensure they are well-prepared and supported in providing high-quality instruction and support for our students.

Training sessions will be held on the following dates:

• January 21, 2025

• April 15, 2025

Each session will run from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. in the boardroom, located at STMA Middle School West (enter via door B).

We encourage all substitute teachers and substitute paraprofessionals to mark their calendars and attend one of these sessions. Your participation is key to maintaining the excellent learning environment we strive to provide at STMA.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and schools!

10-07-2024 Regular School Board Meeting

The Board read a tribute and held a moment of silence for Mrs. Lois Zachman, a former teacher in the district and a member of the first STMA ISD #885 School Board. She was also the first woman to serve on the Board.

Action on Amended Accompanist Rates for Non-Classified Wage Scale

The Board approved amended accompanist and middle school official and substitute coaching rates.

Action on Office Paraprofessional

The Board approved an 8 hour/day office paraprofessional at the High School.

Action on 1.0 FTE Licensed School Nurse

The Board approved a proposal for a 1.0 FTE Licensed School Nurse.

Discussion Date for Work Session

The Board set December 2, 2024, 5:15 PM as a Work Session regarding advertising.

10-21-2024 Regular School Board Meeting

Trimester 1 District Office Student Artwork

The following students were recognized for having their artwork chosen for display in the District Office from October to February. A statement was read and the students were presented a certificate:

McKenna Johnson, Mila Cox, Madeline Bell, Gwenyth Van Dam, Temidire Adebisi, Cooper Svendsen, Charlotte Torola, Crosby Andrus, Jada Massaquoi, Mark Lenneman, Merek Holasek, Sara Feickert-Faulkner, Vitalii Pakhorukov, Naomie Kromah

Enrollment

Executive Director of Business Services Kris Crocker gave a report on enrollment for FY2025.

2023-2024 Assessment and CACR [Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness]

The Teaching & Learning Department presented the 2023-2024 Assessment and CACR Summary Report.

Legislative Forum 2025

Superintendent Dr. Foucault shared information about the January 2025 STMA Legislative Forum.

Action: 2024-2026 Master Agreement for Maintenance with SEIU

The Board approved the 2024-2026 Master Agreement for Maintenance with SEIU. Motion carried unanimously.

Action on CACR Annual Report

The Board approved the CACR Annual Report as presented.

Action on FY2026 and FY2027 Academic Calendars -- Calendar Process