This week marked the beginning of a new school year — another opportunity for every child to learn, grow and achieve.

Our children’s education is one of the priorities Minnesotans tell me they care about most. As a mother and an educator, it’s one of my top priorities too. This year is an especially exciting time for students of all ages thanks to some major changes approved by the Minnesota legislature and Gov. Dayton.

For the first time in state history, all—day kindergarten is available for every child free of charge statewide. Families with kindergartners enrolled in Austin Public Schools have benefited from free all — day kindergarten for years. We can all be proud of our local leadership on this issue. Now, thousands of families throughout Minnesota have that same opportunity as children living in Austin.

In addition to Austin Public Schools, K-12 students who attend public schools in the district I represent (27B) most likely attend the Southland, Hayfield, Grand Meadow, Leroy—Ostrander and Lyle districts – all of which received significant funding increases this year.

Austin Public Schools: $633 more per student.

Southland Public Schools: $603 more per student.

Hayfield Public Schools: $526 more per student.

Grand Meadow Public Schools: $471 more per student.

Leroy-Ostrander Public Schools: $495 more per student.

Lyle Public Schools: $483 more per student.

It’s also worth noting that state lawmakers paid back every penny the previous legislature borrowed from Minnesota schools — including our local districts — to the tune of nearly $1 billion. I’m also proud that we unanimously increased funding for the school lunch program to ensure no child is ever denied a hot lunch due to the inability to pay. Lawmakers took swift action after a report from Mid—Minnesota Legal Aid published earlier this year found some school districts were denying hot lunches to low—income students who had insufficient funds in their lunch accounts.

If you are a mom or dad paying for your children’s school supplies (save your receipts) be sure to take advantage of two programs Minnesota offers. The K—12 Education Subtraction and the K—12 Education Credit can lower the tax you pay or increase your refund when filing your Minnesota income tax return. Common expenses that qualify include school supplies such as pencils, paper and calculators, educational computer hardware and software, extracurricular academic or fine arts classes such as dance, music lessons, art and science, and tutoring for subjects needed for K—12 classes taught by a qualified instruction. For more information about both of these programs, please contact me by email atrep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn or by phone at (651) 296—4193.

Our K—12 students are not alone in sharing the benefits of the legislature’s historic investments in education. Tuition for Minnesotans earning an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, including Riverland Community College, did not increase for a second straight year. Over the previous decade, tuition had more than doubled before a two — year freeze went into effect last year. State lawmakers also made the largest investment in state financial aid in over a decade leading to lower student debt in the future.

I wish the very best for all students, parents and teachers this school year. Let’s keep working together to make sure each and every child can reach their fullest potential and contribute to our great state.