Video & Transcript : 'small school districts' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rep. Frazier Press Conference 4/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> school</c><00:03:40.880><c> district</c><00:03:41.400><c> of</c> Public Schools is a school district
- and school districts have.
- and school districts have.
- and school districts have.
- and school districts have.
Summary:
Representative Cedric Frazier opened the meeting by describing the ongoing harms from Operation Metro Surge, saying the state was still dealing with family separation, school disruption, workforce damage, and economic instability. He framed the issue as a statewide crisis and called on Republican colleagues to acknowledge the harm and work with DFL members on accountability and relief. He said the current budget work was urgent but could not fully backfill the damage, and later noted that the issue had been a top priority since the surge began.
Testimony from school and business leaders focused on concrete impacts. Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis said her district, which serves a large Black, Hispanic, and East and West African student population, was targeted during the surge and saw major enrollment losses, including students moving out of state or country or being held in Texas facilities. She said the district lost over $1 million in revenue and that the loss could equal about 40 teachers or an entire elementary school. Columbia Heights School Board Chair Mary Granlund said her district, with a limited tax base, was also heavily affected and warned that business closures and unfunded mandates would shift costs to homeowners and force cuts to classes, teachers, and programs. Lee Ann Rasiejka of Women Venture and the CDFI coalition said small businesses across Minnesota were facing compounded disruption from federal law enforcement activity, tariffs, rising costs, and fear, with more than $213 million in lost revenue reported across Twin Cities corridors and many businesses cutting hours, delaying hiring, or pausing growth.
In response to questions, Frazier and other speakers said the proposed aid would be statewide rather than focused only on the Twin Cities, and that the bill currently had no set dollar amount but they hoped for around $100 million. They said CDFIs and local community groups would help distribute resources. Frazier said some Republican members had acknowledged harm in their own communities and suggested compromise was possible, though he criticized leadership for dismissing some testimony as hearsay. He also said ongoing law enforcement investigations into alleged crimes by federal agents would not be necessary to establish the harm, pointing instead to direct testimony from affected residents and school officials. No votes were taken in the portion provided.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- school districts, virtual charter schools, or other programs.
- Chairman and Representative Garrett, what will happen to our small school districts?
- Is pretty small to a small district like Mosquito. It matters.
- So, a small school district like Muscaro, and I'm going to bring up Muscaro just because of what I've
- So a small school district like Muscaro and I'm going to bring up Muscaro just because of what I've been
Committee:
Senate House Education
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 47, the school employee insurance “80-20” bill, which would require school districts and charter schools to pay 80% of employee health insurance premiums, bringing K-12 employees into parity with other public employees. Supporters from school superintendents, school boards, charter schools, teachers, AFT, NIA, and labor groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention, reduce the burden of rising premiums, and increase take-home pay, especially in rural districts. One amendment proposed by Senator Ramos would have expanded the bill to require a cooperative purchasing process and more insurance options, but it was opposed as a structural change not vetted for this bill and was withdrawn. The committee then approved HB 47 on a roll-call vote and sent it to the Senate floor.
The committee next took up House Bill 253, the public education changes bill, which focuses on full-time virtual education and related funding issues. The sponsor and education officials said the bill preserves virtual learning options, requires districts and charters to report virtual enrollment, creates an evaluation/certification process for full-time virtual programs, and includes a temporary funding fix to address budget shortfalls caused by virtual enrollment growth. Testimony from school leaders and boards supported the compromise, noting the need to avoid a statewide loss in unit value while also addressing the Gallup-McKinley situation and other funding distortions. Several senators raised concerns about impacts on small rural districts, out-of-state students, and the treatment of full-time virtual students in rural-unit calculations, but officials said emergency supplemental funding could address shortfalls and that a broader study would be done in the interim. The committee then passed HB 253 on a roll-call vote and advanced it to the Senate floor.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance May 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, many of New Mexico school districts serves, oh, do handouts.
- Maybe the most critical piece in funding districts for, for in my and particularly small schools, for
- In 2018, Judge Sting has ruled that all New Mexico school district school students have a right to be
- Um, how many teachers do you have in the school district?
- If you're with a school district or a school board member, Well, thank you guys for being here and I,
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- If you are a very large rural school district, or a rural school district, that factor takes into account
- When they calculate it out across all of the school districts, it comes out so that every school district
- He said there are a couple of small school districts that this really benefits quite a bit: large geographical
- districts with small enrollment.
- I think there's a couple of small school districts that this really benefits quite a bit.
Summary:
The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript.
The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education.
House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Regional school district.
- It's a fact that providing a basic education in a small school district is more expensive than in a larger
- In a small school district, it is more expensive than in a larger one, a reality that is not factored
- For over 30 years, small rural districts like Hancock have relied on school choice to maintain operations
- For over 30 years, small rural districts like Hancock have relied on school choice to maintain operations
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
Summary:
The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements.
The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock.
Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So imagine you had a large school district.
- largest school districts are, like, kind of that army green.
- , and so a larger school district is going to have more schools, is going to have more principals.
- In Fruitland School District, from 2012 through 2025, Fruitland School District spent over $1.8 million
- Idaho school districts are doing their part.
Committee:
House Education
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- These needs are replicated in rural schools across the state, and raising the small school allotment
- small districts, in a tough situation in the next year.
- The boundaries of my school district include 75 private schools.
- It was a huge blessing to our school district.
- We're struggling as a school district, and we can't compete with the bigger school districts.
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The speaker noted that many schools in their Senate district are very small rural schools, and that New
- In small school districts, this would be anything pretty much in here.
- In small school districts, this would be anything pretty much in here.
- ><c> would</c> uh in small school districts this would uh in small school districts this would be<01:
- </c><02:12:17.239><c> School</c> small Middle School um Middle School small Middle School um Middle School
Committee:
Senate Education
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Leangela Reed, on behalf of the Small School Districts Association, and while I adore my good friend
- But I do believe, you know, based on my experience, that if you have small school districts, rural school
- LeAngela Reed, on behalf of the Small School Districts Association.
- Leangela Reid, on behalf of the Small School Districts Association, in strong support. Thank you.
- Isabella Farland, on behalf of the Small Schools District Association, in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members.
AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes.
The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And then for the grant, oftentimes our artists hit communities in our small school district.
- School Districts Association, to ensure that... ...Small School Districts Association to ensure that
- A vast majority of them are small school districts, 545 roughly.
- A vast majority of them are small school districts, 545 roughly, so about 58% of our school districts
- Barrett Snyder, on behalf of the Small School Districts Association.
Committee:
House Education
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <c> recording</c> school districts regarding the recording school districts regarding the recording of
- ><c> their</c> school districts already posted their school districts already posted their budget<00:
- within</c> schools because schools are within schools because schools are within districts,<00:46:15.760
- </c><00:47:10.800><c> district</c> December where the school district December where the school district
- > to</c><01:05:26.240><c> be</c> that school district is going to be that school district is going to
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- LeAngela Reed on behalf of the Small School Districts Association and while I adore my good friend at
- We have districts as small. Districts.
- On behalf of the Small School Districts Association, thank you.
- I know it's been a busy day in committee, so the small school district association in strong support.
- We choke our school districts to death with these kinds of small measures and our administrators.
Committee:
House Education
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 19, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Small school district, self-insured, got it. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Small school district, self-insured, got it.
- Christian Doolin, Small County Coalition, the Small School District Council Consortium.
- My concern with your bill is how will this impact the small school districts, the small cities, the small
- My concern with your bill is how will this impact the small school districts, the small cities, the small
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0.
The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people.
Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Over 29,000 small businesses in our district bolster our region.
- Over 29,000 small businesses in our district bolster our region.
- OVER 29,000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR DISTRICT BOLSTER OUR REGION.
- even more small businesses owned by women and people of color in my district.
- even more small businesses owned by women and people of color in my district.
Keywords:
impeachment, judge, criminal conduct, judicial behavior, Supreme Court, assassination attempt, sentencing, ideology, National Chemistry Week, education, STEM careers, science promotion, public engagement, government transparency, communication, House of Representatives, appropriations, furlough, Federal agencies, military service
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 14, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- And so to that end, I was able to work with my school district to create several different pathways for
- And as a former teacher in the school district and a student, I saw firsthand how our vocational programs
- Johns County is home, and my district is home to several types of manufacturing from very small to very
- Middle school is usually more of a foundational certification than high school; high school is more of
- Middle school is usually more of a foundational certification than high school; high school is more of
Summary:
The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training.
Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth.
Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 05:40 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- districts, for businesses large and small, for state government.
- districts and small businesses.
- That's 30 school districts in southwest Washington.
- Speaker, a lot of children school. In my district, Mr.
- Schools are struggling. Myself, Yelm School District. I talk about them frequently.
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Aug 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , and in my state district.
- the trades back in the schools.
- And we should bring those to those school levels, in high school, middle school.
- In high school, middle school, that's where it started. And so I agree with you. Thank you, Mr.
- Oh, I would love to do something in my Assembly district, you know, to offer support for our small businesses
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in Paramount as part of its “Pocketbook Tour,” focused on affordability, cost pressures, and household impacts in Los Angeles County. The first panel centered on workers and learners, with testimony from the UCLA Labor Center and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Speakers described how rising living costs, tuition, and low wages force many students to work long hours, often in unrelated, low-wage jobs, while struggling with food, rent, bills, anxiety, and limited financial aid. Recommendations included expanding state-funded work study, creating a statewide internship tax credit for small businesses, improving financial aid formulas to reflect regional cost of living, increasing flexibility for students, and strengthening worker-rights education and career pathways.
The second panel focused on microbusinesses and small business affordability. Testimony from microenterprise advocates, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and local business owners described rising commercial rents, labor costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, insurance, utilities, and disaster-related pressures as major threats to small businesses. Witnesses emphasized that small businesses are central to local economies and asked the state to expand technical assistance, low-interest financing, disaster support, supply-chain development, and community-based outreach. They also urged more intentional support for microbusinesses and home-based entrepreneurs, including networks that connect them to resources and help them build collective buying power.
Committee members asked about possible state actions, including tax credits for hiring local workers or interns, support for trades and apprenticeships, and ways to partner more closely with SBDCs and chambers of commerce. Public comment echoed the hearing themes, with speakers highlighting student hardship, nonprofit mental health funding, renewable energy jobs and internships, and the need for state support for clean-energy incentives. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks and adjournment at 11:05 a.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce committee debates HF1325 to change MN's earned sick, safe time law 3/12/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> consideration giving many school consideration giving many school districts<00:42:38.520><c> um<
- </c><00:42:51.040><c> districts</c><00:42:51.920><c> thank</c> already strained school districts thank
- , Minnesota School Boards Association: 331 school districts across Minnesota.
- </c><01:09:13.960><c> don't</c> to me about this school districts don't to me about this school districts
- <c> or</c> that that school districts or cities or that that school districts or cities or counties<01
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties.
Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing.
Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as the chair of the Marsing School District and president of the Idaho School Board Association
- Some of us serve large districts, some small rural districts, and some of us are charter school members
- That's what small-town schools do.
- That's what small town schools do.
- Every school, every elementary school, can start with that community engagement, and they become a small
Committee:
House Education
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - Act 73 Overview - 2026-01-16 - 12:00PM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- /c> created the school district created the school district redistricting<00:02:22.640><c> task</c><00
- </c> school districts. school districts.
- c> with</c> the school or school district with the school or school district with notice<00:03:46.159
- </c><00:07:02.080><c> pay</c> schools a school district can pay schools a school district can pay tuition
- And small schools and sparse schools.