In a controversial decision, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota turned down requests for security funding from the state's Catholic schools, despite a substantial budget surplus and similar funding granted to public schools, as Breitbart reports.
Amid a record $17.6 billion surplus, nonpublic schools were left out of Walz's security funding initiative, spotlighting an unequal distribution of state aid.
Over two consecutive years, the Minnesota Catholic Conference, representing six dioceses, appealed to the state government for funds aimed at bolstering security against potential school shootings, yet their pleas remained unaddressed.
The urgency of these requests was magnified by a tragic event in March 2023, where a school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, led by 28-year-old Audrey Hale, shook the nation. This incident underscored the vulnerability of educational institutions to such attacks.
In Minnesota, nonpublic schools, which include a mix of Catholic, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim institutions, serve approximately 72,000 students, echoing the plea for enhanced security measures to protect these young learners.
Yet, despite their substantial enrollment and heightened security risks evidenced by past events, nonpublic schools remain ineligible for the Safe Schools Program benefits that their public counterparts enjoy. This program, crucial for emergency response training and security improvements, exclusively supports public school districts through a levy-only funding structure.
In response to the denied requests, the Minnesota bishops intensified their efforts in 2022. They lobbied for a special session to discuss a bill that would extend Secure Schools funding to non-public schools, providing $44 per student for necessary security precautions. Despite bipartisan support, the progress stalled under Walz's administration.
The failure to advance this significant bill occurred in the same year when Walz opted to allocate state funds towards establishing a "trans refuge" for individuals seeking gender-affirming care, a move that drew mixed reactions from various community sectors.
The continuing resistance to include nonpublic schools in state-funded security initiatives has been labeled discriminatory by advocates, arguing that it overlooks the safety needs of thousands of nonpublic school students.
"The exclusion of one sector of schools, as you know, nonpublic schools serve many students and families in need of services and resources, is a discriminatory act against our students," stated the Minnesota Catholic Conference in their request to be included in the Building and Cyber Security Grant Program.
This sentiment was further echoed in correspondence sent to Walz, where the conference emphasized, "The latest school shooting at a nonpublic Christian school in Tennessee sadly confirms what we already know -- our schools are under attack."
Despite the setbacks, nonpublic schools persist in their advocacy efforts. Since 2020, these institutions have been pushing to be part of the Safe Schools Program, hoping to secure the same level of preparedness and protection awarded to public schools. The community remains hopeful yet vigilant, awaiting a shift in policy that might safeguard the vulnerable student population across all sectors of Minnesota's educational landscape.
The unfolding debate over educational funding in Minnesota continues to stir discussions at both the state and local levels. Governor Walz's decision has not only highlighted a funding disparity between public and nonpublic schools but also attracted criticism regarding the prioritization of state resources, especially given the sizable budget surplus.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference remains at the forefront of this issue, advocating for a reconsideration of the funding strategies to include nonpublic schools in future allocations. Their fight is not just about securing funds but ensuring equality in the treatment of all students, irrespective of the type of school they attend.
As the state moves forward, stakeholders from all corners of the educational spectrum are called upon to reconsider the broader implications of funding decisions that affect the safety and security of students statewide. The resolution of this issue will not only determine the immediate safety measures implemented but also set a precedent for how educational equity is perceived and acted upon in Minnesota.
