WILLMAR -- Students in metro schools should be spending as much time in the classroom as their rural counterparts, said Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, who said he will introduce a bill this session to make that happen.
The average Minneapolis student spends 360 minutes a day in class, said Heidgerken, a former school tea-cher. By contrast, students in the small rural district in Lynd are in class 480 minutes a day. Students in Sauk Centre could go to school four days a week and still put in as much time in the classroom as Minneapolis students, he said.
If Minneapolis students spent more time with teachers, he said their educational results would improve. Most rural districts score well on academic tests.
With so many rural school districts in financial trouble, Heidgerken said he will also ask the Legislature to reverse a provision that currently exempts recreational homes from taxes imposed under school operational levies.
His proposal would not increase taxes on cabins, but would redirect a portion of their property taxes from the state's general fund to school districts where the recreational homes are located.
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"The money should stay back home with us," said Heidgerken.
