Saturday, February 15, 2014

Alternative Proposals re: School Lunch and Student Performance

One of the advantages of being a retired teacher is my ability to offer alternative perspectives on public education that seem to elude our legislators.  So...bear with me as I share with you two such proposals recently mailed to my state senator and state representative.

SCHOOL LUNCH AVAILABILITY FOR ALL PROPOSAL
Authorities all recognize the importance of a well-fed student as it relates to academic performance in school.  It is inexcusable in this day and age for us to continuing separating the school lunch program from other aspects of education.  Depriving a student of a school lunch because of economic circumstances (or other reasons) benefits no one.

In order to provide all Minnesota students with a lunch at no cost to them, the Minnesota legislature would need to add $4.00/day to the Minnesota per-student funding formula paid to our schools.  Assuming 1,850,000 Minnesota taxpayers, this could amount to an average cost of $395/year/taxpayer.

FAMILY SUPPORT FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE PROPOSAL
One way of addressing the public education achievement gap issue would be to increase parental involvement and impact on student performance in school.  We need an approach that would provide parents with a financial incentive in addition to an awareness of Minnesota's expectations regarding the parent's role in improving student performance.

In order to reinforce this approach, I would propose that families would receive a $25 tax credit per child for school performance that meets the following criteria: GRADES - C or better; ATTENDANCE - No unexcused absences; BEHAVIOR - No formal disciplinary action taken.  For those parents whose incomes do not result in paying taxes, a check (similar to the Minnesota rent or property tax credit) could be sent.

Assuming 900,000 students in Minnesota public schools all qualifying for this tax credit, this proposal could cost upwards to $22,500,000/year in lost tax revenue.  In addition, there would need to be a per-pupil reporting cost associated with school district record-keeping and production of a per-pupil certification tax letter each year.  This could amount to $1/student, or an additional $900,000/year.  For this latter expense I would propose adding $1.00/day to the Minnesota per-student funding formula paid to the schools.  Assuming 1,850,000 Minnesota taxpayers, this could amount to an average cost of $13/year/taxpayer.  If one would like to consider $100/year/student tax credit, then one would need to multiply the per-taxpayer cost by 4.

REVENUE SOURCE
To meet these additional costs, I would propose increasing the individual income tax.  It really does take a village to raise a child these days.  I would be more than happy to pay additional taxes in order to eliminate the need for families to come up with lunch money (especially those families that cannot afford it or those families with many children when the cost becomes prohibitive), and to get more parents on board in taking an active part in promoting their child's best performance in school.


If you like these proposals, or would choose to modify them...please let your legislators know what you think.  They desperately need guidance on these issues.