Minnesota Basic Formula Lost Ground to Inflation

Minnesota's basic funding formula has lost $600 in value as compared to inflation, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.   During this time, however, Minnesota has added a number of unfunded and underfunded mandates to the array of services which Districts must provide.  In addition, during this same period, the special education cross subsidy -- the deficit in funding as compared to the total cost of special education mandated services has increased from $321 million per year to $750 million per year.   This increase, if funded out of general fund revenues would further decrease the value of the basic formula.