Woodbury Sen. Susan Kent: Bill Would Improve Kindergarten Spending Flexibility for Schools

Woodbury Sen. Susan Kent has introduced a bill that she says will provide spending flexibility for school districts offering all-day kindergarten.

The text of the bill, SF162, can be found on the Legislature’s website.

Below is a release from her office:

State Senator Susan Kent (DFL–Woodbury) introduced her first bill for the 2013 Legislative Session.

Sen. Kent’s bill, which provides spending flexibility for school districts offering all-day kindergarten, received a hearing in the Education Finance committee on January 31st. The legislation would allow schools to spend the additional per pupil funding appropriated in the all-day kindergarten bill to meet the needs of three and four year olds in the district.

“The bill gives schools the ability to appropriately balance the needs, wants and resources of their district. It is important we support our youngest learners,” said Senator Kent. “I’m proud that my first piece of legislation is an education bill. I want to make sure we give our kids every opportunity to learn and succeed and to ensure Minnesota has a strong workforce now and in the future.”

Senator Kent’s legislation gives school districts freedom to spend money on pre-kindergarten programs, as well as kindergarten.

“Having students come to kindergarten ready to learn is critical. If half the students in a class are not prepared to begin school, it will negatively affect the whole class. We want to make it as easy as possible for school districts to offer early education programs.”

Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter