https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/Recent content in Chapter 127A — Commissioner of Education on MinnesotaLawyer.comHugoen-ushttps://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.01/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.01/This section says that the definitions used in chapter 127A (public education) are the same as those found in section 120A.05. That section defines terms like ‘school district,’ ‘pupil,’ and other education-related words.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.05/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.05/The commissioner of education is appointed by the governor and runs the Department of Education. The commissioner supervises public schools, sets educational goals, creates courses of study, and can make rules for schools. The commissioner must also review education mandates every four years and report to the legislature.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.051/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.051/This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. It was removed by a 2014 law.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.052/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.052/This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. It was removed by a 2014 law.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.06/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.06/The commissioner of education must recommend changes to education laws to make them clearer and more effective. The commissioner also prepares a two-year education budget that shows the costs of running the department and distributing state aid to schools.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.065/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.065/By March 30 each year, the commissioner of education must report to the legislature on how much each school district is using its general education money to pay for special education costs that are not fully funded by the state.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.07/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.07/The commissioner of education can make agreements with other government agencies to share services. These agreements must benefit both sides and can last up to three years. Both agencies charge each other only for actual costs.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.08/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.08/The Department of Education can charge fees for conferences and workshops, accept money from public and private agencies for education partnerships, and apply for grants and gifts. All money received must be used for the purpose it was given. The commissioner must report all grants and gifts to the legislature each year by February 15.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.09/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.09/The commissioner of education can accept and manage federal education funds as long as they support public education and align with state policy. If the federal government requires a state plan, the commissioner must adopt one before accepting the money. All federal education money is held by the commissioner of management and budget.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.095/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.095/The Department of Education must continue carrying out the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) without interruption. Some earlier subdivisions of this section have been repealed.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.10/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.10/It is a gross misdemeanor for the commissioner of education, department employees, or school board members to accept money, gifts, or favors from textbook companies or anyone involved in selling textbooks.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.11/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.11/The commissioner of education works with the commissioners of human services and children, youth, and families to track the costs of health-related special education services that public schools provide to students with disabilities.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.12/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.12/The commissioner of education can join and pay dues to the Council of Chief State School Officers, a national organization of state education leaders. The membership fees must be based on actual costs for services the council provides to Minnesota.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.13/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.13/The commissioner of education sets the rules for how public schools and educational institutions can make contracts with the federal government for funds, services, or equipment. All such agreements must follow the commissioner’s rules.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.14/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.14/This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. It was removed by a 2019 law.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.15/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.15/The Department of Education can provide library information services to government agencies, nonprofits, and private organizations. The department can charge reasonable fees for these services and accept money from other sources to cover costs. Fees collected go into a special account dedicated to providing these services.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.151/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.151/The Department of Education must hire a state school librarian to help school librarians across Minnesota. This person must be or have been a licensed school library media specialist. Their job includes supporting standards development, data collection, intellectual freedom, media literacy, and professional development for school librarians.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.16/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.16/This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. It was removed by a 1998 law.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.17/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.17/The commissioner of education must set up a standard record-keeping and accounting system for all public schools. Schools must report information to the commissioner using this uniform system. The commissioner, working with the state auditor, can examine the financial records of any public school.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.18/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.18/The Department of Education will help school districts with management if they ask for it. The help can include developing data for setting goals and analyzing different ways to organize and manage the district, including cooperating with other districts.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.19/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.19/The Department of Education must provide training and help to school districts in managing their finances. This includes accounting manuals, training in financial operations, long-term planning, budgeting, capital planning, and developing reporting systems that track spending and student outcomes at each school.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.20/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.20/All education grants from the commissioner must include evidence-based evaluation. Grant applicants must state their goals, describe strategies, and plan to collect data measuring effectiveness. Within 180 days after the grant ends, recipients must report their results to the commissioner and the legislature.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.205/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.205/Organizations receiving education grants from the commissioner must maintain tax-exempt status, file required tax forms, report to the attorney general, and stay current with the secretary of state. The commissioner must end a grant if the recipient falls out of compliance, though a grace period may be allowed. These rules do not apply to school districts, charter schools, or other government entities.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.21/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.21/The Department of Education has an Office of the Inspector General that investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in education programs. The inspector general can issue subpoenas, access records, and recommend sanctions against program participants. Whistleblowers who report fraud are protected from retaliation, and no state employee may interfere with investigations.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.215/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.215/The Department of Education must hire a comprehensive school mental health services lead to help schools address the mental health needs of students, teachers, and staff. This person helps schools assess their mental health systems, shares resources, and coordinates with other state agencies like the departments of health and human services.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.30/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.30/The Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission is a 12-member group of state legislators that advises on how to manage Minnesota’s school trust lands. The commission reviews laws about trust land management each year and recommends changes to maximize long-term income for the permanent school fund while maintaining sound natural resource conservation.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.31/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.31/This section states the legislature’s goal for Minnesota’s permanent school fund: to earn the best long-term return possible consistent with the state’s constitutional duties as trustee, sound conservation of natural resources, and other state policies. The fund exists to benefit public schools through the earnings it generates.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.32/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.32/This section creates the school endowment fund, which consists of the income (not the principal) earned by the permanent school fund. The commissioner can accept cash, securities, or other donations to the permanent school fund. Non-cash donations other than securities must be sold for cash, and all cash goes into the permanent fund.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.33/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.33/This section tells the commissioner how to distribute the school endowment fund to school districts. The money is distributed twice a year, in March and September, to districts whose schools have been in session at least nine months. Each district receives a share proportional to its average daily membership.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.34/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.34/This section describes the roles of the commissioner and county auditors in distributing school funds. The commissioner notifies the commissioner of management and budget, who then issues payments to districts. County auditors distribute money from local sources like power line taxes and liquor licenses to school districts based on their share of net tax capacity.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.351/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.351/This section states the policy and purpose of the school trust lands director position. The purpose is to recommend management policies for Minnesota’s school trust lands in a way that fulfills the state’s constitutional duty as trustee. The state must balance earning money for current students with preserving assets for future students.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.352/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.352/This section describes the duties of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission and the school trust lands director. The commission recommends policies for managing trust lands. The commissioner of natural resources and the school trust lands director must recommend law changes to the governor and commission. If the director and commissioner disagree on fiduciary duties, the director must report the dispute.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.353/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.353/This section establishes the school trust lands director position. The director is appointed by the governor with senate confirmation for a four-year term. The director must have expertise in finance, land management, and fiduciary responsibilities. The director’s job is to ensure the school trust lands are managed to maximize long-term value for students.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.40/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.40/This section sets out the process for paying state education aid to school districts. The commissioner sends a certificate to the commissioner of management and budget showing how much each district is owed. The commissioner of management and budget then issues payments directly to the districts with a copy of the certificate.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.41/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.41/This section gives the commissioner authority to supervise how all state and federal school aids are distributed to districts. The commissioner can audit district records to verify student counts and aid calculations, and must audit at least 25 districts per year when possible. Districts that receive too much aid must repay it, and those underpaid receive adjustments.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.42/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.42/This section allows the commissioner to reduce or withhold state aid from school districts that violate the law. Violations that can trigger aid reductions include hiring unlicensed teachers, breaking anti-discrimination laws, failing to educate resident students, and misusing school funds. The commissioner must follow a specific notice and hearing process before cutting aid.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.43/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.43/This section sets the specific penalty for school districts that hire unlicensed teachers. The district loses state aid in proportion to the share of unlicensed teachers out of all teachers, multiplied by 60 percent of the district’s basic revenue. This is a financial incentive to ensure all teachers are properly licensed.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.44/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.44/This section was part of Minnesota’s education finance law but has been repealed. It was removed from the statutes in 2001. Its content is no longer in effect.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.441/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.441/This section adjusts state aid payments to account for changes in how school districts recognize levy revenue in their financial records. Each year, the commissioner adjusts aid based on the difference between how much levy revenue the district recognized in the prior year versus the current year. Permanent school fund payments are not adjusted under this section.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.45/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.45/This section is the main law governing when and how the state pays education aid to school districts throughout the year. Aid is paid on specific dates, and the amounts are calculated to ensure districts receive a guaranteed cumulative percentage of their total entitlement by each payment date. The payment schedule is set by law and can be adjusted only for documented electronic transfer problems.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.46/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.46/This section was part of Minnesota’s education finance law but has been repealed. It was removed from the statutes in 2011. Its content is no longer in effect.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.47/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.47/This section sets the rules for which school district receives state education aid when a student attends school outside their home district. In general, aid follows the student to the school they attend. Special rules apply for students of divorced or separated parents who share custody across district lines, and for districts that have no schools of their own.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.48/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.48/This section addresses adjustments to net tax capacity calculations used in school finance formulas. Several subdivisions have been renumbered to section 273.1325, and subdivision 7 limits growth in a district’s adjusted net tax capacity. Net tax capacity affects how much school levy authority a district has.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.49/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.49/This section sets the rules for correcting errors in state education aid payments. Omissions in district reports generally cannot be corrected after December 15 of the following school year. The section also describes how to calculate adjustments when property tax changes affect district aid entitlements after taxes have already been set.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.50/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.50/This section addresses how changes in employer retirement contribution rates affect state aid to school districts. If state law increases the required contributions districts must make to teacher pension funds, the state may adjust district aid accordingly. Districts that reorganize or dissolve have their adjustments recalculated.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.51/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.51/This section requires the commissioner to calculate and publish statewide average school revenue and the spread between the highest and lowest revenue districts each year. If the gap between the top and bottom districts grows, the commissioner must recommend options to the legislature to reduce the disparity in school funding.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.60/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.60/This section has been repealed. All subdivisions were removed from the statutes in 1998 and 1999. This section no longer contains active law.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.61/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.61/This section was part of Minnesota’s education law but has been repealed. It was removed from the statutes in 1999. Its content is no longer in effect.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.62/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.62/This section has been partly renumbered and partly repealed. Subdivision 1 was renumbered to section 127A.12, and subdivision 2 was repealed. This section no longer contains active law of its own.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.63/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.63/This section was renumbered to section 127A.13. It no longer contains independent law; the current law is found at 127A.13.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.64/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.64/This section was part of Minnesota’s education law but has been repealed. It was removed from the statutes in 1999. Its content is no longer in effect.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.66/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.66/This section has been repealed. All subdivisions were removed from the statutes in 1998 and 1999. This section no longer contains active law.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.67/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.67/This section was renumbered to section 127A.14. It no longer contains independent law; the current law is found at 127A.14.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.70/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.70/This section establishes the Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership, which brings together leaders from early childhood through graduate education to improve outcomes for all students. The partnership includes major education organizations and legislative members. It meets at least three times a year and makes recommendations to the governor and legislature.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.80/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.80/This section is Minnesota’s adoption of the Compact for Education, a multistate agreement creating the Education Commission of the States (ECS). The compact establishes a national forum for developing education policy, sharing information about what works in different states, and improving education systems. Minnesota participates through appointed members representing the state.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.81/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.81/This section sets out how Minnesota appoints its members to the Education Commission of the States. One house member is appointed by the speaker, one senator is appointed by the Committee on Committees, and four members are appointed by the governor. Members serve terms matching their office terms and are reimbursed for expenses but receive no additional pay.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.82/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.82/This section creates a state council to coordinate Minnesota’s participation in the Military Interstate Children’s Compact. The council includes the commissioner of education, a school district superintendent with high military family enrollment, a military installation representative, and legislators. The council also designates a military family education liaison to help families navigate school transitions.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.83/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.83/This section extends the Military Interstate Children’s Compact rules to intrastate transfers within Minnesota. Children of National Guard and Reserve members moving between Minnesota school districts get the same protections as children moving between states. The section does not affect interstate transfers.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.85/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.85/This section is Minnesota’s adoption of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The compact removes barriers that military families face when moving from state to state, including delays in enrollment, loss of course credits, and problems with extracurricular eligibility. Minnesota and the other member states agree to follow the compact’s rules on student transfers, records, and graduation.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.851/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.851/This section states that Minnesota law controls if it conflicts with the Military Interstate Children’s Compact on two key topics: awarding academic credits or high school diplomas, and student data privacy. Minnesota’s stricter standards on both topics take precedence over compact requirements.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.852/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.852/This section requires school districts to include a voluntary self-identification box on enrollment forms for students to identify themselves as military-connected youth. A military-connected youth is one with a parent or sibling currently or recently serving in the armed forces. Data collected is private under Minnesota data practices law, but summary statistics may be published.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.86/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-127a/127a.86/This section creates the Purple Star School designation for Minnesota schools that make special efforts to support military-connected students. To qualify, a school must have a designated military family liaison, maintain online resources for military families, and offer a student-led transition program. The commissioner of education awards the designation.