To the Editor:

It was with significant disappointment that I became aware that the Gov. (Tim) Walz’s proposed budget for 2025 defunds some Minnesota students by eliminating nonpublic pupil aid. That money supports each student with funding for textbooks, testing, counseling, nursing and busing. Why would the governor back away from commitments of these essential services that our state has made to these students for the past 40 years? While funding these services in the state’s schools, he proposes elimination of funding for students attending private and parochial schools. It sounds to me that this act is a politically motivated stunt to discriminate against non public school students.

Private and parochial schools save our state nearly $500 million by picking up the cost of providing a quality education to a significant number of Minnesota students. It would be a matter of justice that our state would continue to support these students by providing mental health support, healthcare, guidance and counseling, instructional materials such as textbooks and standardized tests, and busing. If the governor feels that he needs to propose some cuts in the state budget, how about looking at the 173 diversity, equity, and inclusion and engagement specialist positions and culturally responsive arts education art and equity specialists who cost the state $16 million that he has added budget?

Contact your state legislators and ask them to protect these private and parochial students by opposing the Governor’s proposed cuts.

Wayne Pelzel

Sleepy Eye