Minn: SPED funding increases $1.8B to $2.7B in 5yrs; 20% of students receive services
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
A 2025 law mandating a $250 million cut to special education is prompting bipartisan pushback at the Minnesota Capitol, as school districts warn of widespread negative impacts.
Last year, the Legislature passed a law establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission, tasking it with finding $250 million in special education cuts by October 2026, with reductions set to take effect in July 2027. The commission says it needs more time to complete its work. But the law states the cuts are mandatory, regardless of whether specific reductions are identified.
A bill authored by Rep. Ben Bakeberg, R-Jordan, would give the commission more time and eliminate the automatic funding cut. The measure was unanimously advanced in the House Education Finance Committee on April 14 and is headed to another committee for further consideration.
A total of $420 million in cuts to schools, including $250 million from the Blue Ribbon Commission and $50 million recommended by Gov. Tim Walz, passed last year.
The pullback in state funding comes as districts across the state report budget shortfalls and a rise in the number of students needing special education. Minnesota special education funding has climbed from $1.8 billion to $2.7 billion over the past five years. As the state faces a projected budget deficit in the coming years, lawmakers largely agree they must curb costs. . . .
Roughly one in five students in Minnesota receives services through special education programs. As funding decreases, school districts must still meet federally-mandated requirements intended to uphold the quality of special education. Less funding for special education means school districts pull more from other areas to cover the gaps. School board members across the state warned in the hearing that cuts will affect every student’s access to programming and resources.
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