"The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools." Minnesota Constitution, Article 8, Section 1
"The Legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as with the income arising from the School fund, will secure a thorough and efficient system of Public Schools in each township in the State." Minnesota Constitution, Article 8, Section 3

• The legislature has an obligation to fund public schools. Deferring payments to school districts has forced some to borrow money, in effect shifting part of the cost of the state's deficit to local school districts. This practice needs to be stopped. The small portion that will be paid back because of recent surplus projections is not enough.
• Only consistent, adequate state funding of public schools can provide educational opportunity to every child in the state. I think we need to shift education funding back to the state and away from local levies. State funding ought to provide an adequate education for every child. Local levies ought to be used to go beyond this.
• Obtaining exemption from No Child Left Behind is a step in the right direction. I am happy to see a focus on student improvement replacing the punitive nature of No Child Left Behind. In the next several years we have an opportunity to make this work.