Walz made schools a priority, but Klobuchar inherits a tough assignment

For the past eight years, Minnesota public schools had a former teacher in the governor’s office who fought for their interests. Gov. Tim Walz made sweeping investments in education during his tenure, signing bills to provide free school meals to K-12 students, boost aid for public schools and establish a program that covers college tuition for students from lower-income families. But the investments Walz championed haven’t fully relieved the pressures facing Minnesota schools . Districts continue to grapple with rising costs, special education budget shortfalls and stubborn achievement gaps among students. As Gov.-elect Amy Klobuchar prepares to take office, she’ll face questions about sustaining recent education investments, narrowing persistent funding gaps and improving student outcomes. Advertisement One priority advocates are pushing for: more money for special education. Even after the state increased its share of special education costs under Walz, districts still pay more to provide mandated services than is reimbursed. “Just because we made huge strides does not mean that our schools have the funding that they need, that they deserve,” said Amanda Otero, co-executive director of TakeAction Minnesota. “This work isn’t fixed in one legislative session or one tenure. It has to continue.” The daughter of a teacher, Klobuchar has signaled she wants to continue some of Walz’s priorities, including free school meals, while putting greater emphasis on student achievement. She has highlighted reading and math instruction, tutoring and addressing student homelessness. She also has proposed adding 10,000 apprenticeships across the state. Sen. Julia Coleman, R-Waconia, said she hopes Klobuchar will also reconsider some of the mandates Democrats imposed on schools when they held full control of state government in 2023. Democrats will again control both chambers of the state Legislature next year.