SF 2642 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 to the Minnesota Department of Education to contract for a student attendance marketing campaign. The bill directs the department to issue a request for proposals for a three-year campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of regular attendance and the consequences of absenteeism, while also providing information to help families overcome barriers to attendance. The campaign must be inclusive of all public school students and is intended to reach broad and varied audiences statewide.
The selected contractor must submit a plan that includes goals, statewide and targeted outreach strategies, and an objective evaluation method. After the campaign ends, the contractor must report on goals, strategies used, outcomes, and how the funds were spent. The department may use up to 3% of the appropriation for administration, and the appropriation is one-time and available through June 30, 2028. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill does not change attendance law or create new mandates for schools or families; instead, it adds a one-time general fund appropriation for outreach and public education. Its practical effect would be to direct state education resources toward a statewide communications effort on chronic absenteeism and school attendance, with the Department of Education responsible for procurement, oversight, and reporting. The bill could affect public school students and families indirectly by increasing awareness of attendance expectations and available supports.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a straightforward, preventive education-finance proposal rather than a controversial policy change. The bill’s emphasis on helping families overcome barriers and reaching all public school students suggests a broadly supportive, public-interest approach. No formal opposition or recorded vote history is available in the provided materials.
Contention
The main potential points of discussion are likely to be whether a marketing campaign is an effective use of state funds, how success should be measured, and whether the effort should be statewide or more targeted to specific communities with higher absenteeism. Another possible issue is the limited size of the appropriation and the department’s administrative cap, which may raise questions about whether the campaign can achieve meaningful reach and measurable outcomes. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.
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