Citizens for Eden Prairie Schools: Goals

Beliefs:

Quality public education is necessary for a strong and prosperous community.
The legislature must fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide stable and adequate school funding.
Local control provides for the most efficient and effective use of tax dollars to meet local needs.
Citizens for EP Schools supports the direction and accountability system set forth in the District's mission, vision and strategic plan.
School districts are held accountable for student achievement and responsible management of their funds.
School districts must have the authority to generate the necessary revenue to cover the cost of unfunded and under funded federal and state mandates.

Purpose:
Citizens for EP Schools is a non-partisan, non-profit, volunteer effort to enact legislation, which will fully fund educational needs and government mandates. We accomplish this by:

Educating the citizens and legislators
Taking positions on critical legislative issues
Mobilizing community action and support
Being proactively involved in legislative initiatives and bills.

Legislative Goals

Long Term:

Create a straightforward and stable funding solution that gives districts an adequate and equitable source of revenue.

During the next twelve months, develop a model for long-term school financing

Seek legislative approval for long-term financing model

Short term:

Fully fund special education requirements.
Amend the basic formula to account for market driven operating cost differentials.
Pass a statutory amendment to allow school boards to have levy authority and/or charge an equal fee for all students riding buses.
Restore funding to Early Childhood and Kindergarten readiness programs.
Repeal the 2% staff development set aside to allow local school districts the necessary flexibility to structure the budget in a way that best meets local needs.