Education Policy, Business and Technology

Gov. Dayton proposes more funding for Minnesota school security, mental health services

Star Tribune: Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a $21 million school safety plan Wednesday that appeared to strike common ground in the contentious debate over how to protect Minnesota students and teachers.

Dayton’s Safe and Secure Schools Act focuses on improving school building security, assisting expelled students and adding mental health services. The DFL governor said he also supports gun control bills that some have called for in the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., but he said he did not want controversial additions to prevent his proposal from moving forward. He said he hopes those bills progress separately.

Part of Dayton’s plan closely resembles legislation recently proposed by Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, to improve security on school campuses.

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