Dear Hermantown Families,
I hope you're enjoying a relaxing summer with family. As we prepare for the year ahead, I want to share an important update about the recent Minnesota legislative session and how some changes may impact Hermantown Community School, both now and in future years.
A Mix of Support and Challenges
The good news is that this year's session did not include any new education mandates. There were also some short-term funding increases and added flexibilities including an extension of unemployment benefits for hourly school workers through next year, more flexibility in facility maintenance funding and expanded use of food service funds. We love when the state gives us more local control.
Reductions in Future Education Funding
While these short-term measures are appreciated, the state did not provide any new long-term funding for schools in the next two-year budget cycle. Even more concerning, the legislature approved a $420 million statewide reduction in education funding for the 2028–2029 school year. These funding cuts are expected to affect several key student support areas, such as compensatory education, special education transportation, library and telecommunications aid, and supplemental school meal programs. These reductions will impact services that directly support our students and schools.
Special Education and Other Emerging Issues
The State also created a Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education, tasked with finding $250 million in savings. If consensus isn't reached, automatic cuts will go into effect in 2028, which could reduce special education funding by $125 million each year. We will continue to follow this issue closely.
We're also evaluating how new state requirements, such as literacy training (Read Act) and expanded paid leave laws, will affect staffing and finances at the local level. These new provisions bring both opportunities and added responsibilities for our district.
The Bigger Picture: Funding and Inflation
One of our greatest long-term challenges is that state funding for schools has not kept up with inflation since 2003. This shortfall continues to make it difficult to maintain programs, staffing, and support services at the level our students deserve. Without a sustainable and predictable funding model, districts are left to make difficult decisions that impact programs, staffing, and student support.
Planning Ahead
Looking forward to the 2025-26 school year, we are preparing for a projected $450,000 budget adjustment for 2026-27. Budget planning will begin in August, and we'll continue to communicate with our community throughout the fall to keep you informed. While these are tough challenges, we are committed to thoughtful planning, transparency, and doing what's best for students.
Gratitude
We sincerely thank Senator Grant Hauschild and House Representative Natalie Zeleznikar for their leadership and partnership with Hermantown School during the recent legislative session. Each of them continued to engage with us throughout the session at the Capitol. We are grateful for our strong relationships with our legislators, as they are essential in helping with challenges and opportunities facing our school and community.
Finally, thank you to our parents and families for your continued partnership and support. Hermantown is a strong, caring community, and I'm confident that, together, we'll navigate these challenges and continue to provide outstanding learning opportunities for our students.
As we continue with the summer break, I wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and restful July and August. We look forward to sharing more updates as the school year begins.
Sincerely,
Wayne Whitwam
Superintendent
Hermantown Community Schools