ST. PAUL, Minn. -Senator Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove) has signed on as a co-author for the K-12 Education Support Bill (S.F.64), introduced Thursday by Senator Chuck Wiger. This legislation will provide additional support to students who have been impacted by COVID-19.

“Our state’s budget reflects our values and priorities, and one of the biggest priorities we all have is the education of our children,” said Senator Bigham. “Too many students were falling behind before the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we need to be creative and aggressive in responding to those challenges. We can bridge the learning loss caused by the pandemic and prevent the summer slide for many students by expanding summer school programs, and we can provide wrap around services that ensure that all learning needs are met.”

The legislation will provide $60 million to students throughout the state and to the currently stressed education system by providing support to expand Full-Service Community Schools that provide wrap around services to schools and their communities, enhanced Reading and Math Corps programs for tutoring services, and expanded After School and Summer School programs. The bill also includes a provision to help schools that face funding cuts based on declining enrollment and adjust special education requirements to help provide services to students.

See K12 Education Page 9 K12 Education

From Page 1 “I am especially proud that this bill includes provisions to help schools facing funding cuts and challenges providing high quality special education,” said Senator Bigham. “These steps cannot wait, and I hope that this bill receives a hearing in the Education Finance and Policy Committee soon.”