This week, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will kick off an education tour across Minnesota to celebrate the historic investments in education included in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget. Initial stops on the tour will include visits to schools in New Hope, Duluth, Burnsville, Mankato, and more.

“Minnesota’s students sacrificed so much throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect their communities. That’s why our budget, Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget, makes historic investments to help our students succeed,” said Governor Walz. “Not only will this budget get our students back on track from a year of missed learning opportunities, it will set them up for success for years to come.” 

“As a mom of a soon-to-be third grader, I know firsthand how COVID-19 impacted every single student across Minnesota,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Our students are resilient and strong, and they deserve our help to ensure they can thrive this coming school year and every year after. I am proud that our budget puts students front and center and includes the largest investment in diversifying our educator workforce so that more students see themselves leading classrooms.”

“My top priority is helping our students recover from the pandemic by providing support for our school staff to meet the varying needs of their students, families, and communities,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller. “I’m grateful that Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan fought hard for our students this legislative session. This is a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the perseverance of our students, staff, and families, as we continue to work to ensure all of our students are on track for success in the coming school year.”

Every child deserves a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code. As students return to classrooms this fall, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan are focused on making sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget includes $1.2 billion for education over four years, including the largest formula increase in 15 years. The budget also includes funding to make sure that the youngest Minnesotans do not lose access to high-quality, free prekindergarten by making sure that 4,000 seats—that would have otherwise been eliminated—continue.

Additionally, Governor Walz developed a plan to fund enhanced summer learning programs in Minnesota to help students recover from the learning challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor allocated $75 million of the state’s flexible American Rescue Plan funds to provide academic enrichment and mental health support this summer and beyond for Minnesota’s students, families, educators, communities, and schools.

Governor Walz also knows that the mental and social-emotional well-being of students is critical to their success both in and out of the classroom. That is why his budget includes funding to make evidenced-based suicide prevention training available statewide to K-12 educators and school administrators, and he has dedicated federal funds for school-linked mental health services for students and school staff. Governor Walz’s budget also includes $2.5 million to support mental health awareness and services at colleges and universities across Minnesota.

The budget also includes over $35 million for efforts to put more teachers of color and American Indian teachers in classrooms, and to keep them there. When students see themselves reflected in their teachers, it can have a profound impact. This historic investment to help diversify the teaching workforce is a promising strategy to reduce the achievement gap and increase educational outcomes for students of color and American Indian students.