![Sharp Differences in Opinion on K-12 Education Funding [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/06/School-Board.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Sharp Differences in Opinion on K-12 Education Funding [AUDIO]
ST. CLOUD - Funding K-12 education is complicated. That was very evident today (Tuesday) during a news conference at St. Cloud's Tech High School.
The school board called the meeting to criticize the education bill, but St. Cloud's Republican lawmakers were there too defending their vote in favor of it. School Board member Bruce Hentges says Republicans claim that the bill will increase funding for the district is false.
Hentges' his biggest concern is a reform in something called compensatory funding. He says the new legislation would shift more money to schools that do better on their third grade test scores. He says that will hurt regional centers like St. Cloud that have a higher number of special needs students.
Meanwhile, State Representative Steve Gottwalt says it's not that simple.
Gottwalt says the bottom line is that Republicans have actually increased K-12 Education funding by $80 million. Republican State Representatives King Banaian and State Senator John Pederson were also at today's meeting. As was Democratic State Representative Larry Hosch.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Minnesota Secretary of State Visiting St. Cloud Students](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/02/Vote.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Morning Fights Broken Up at Tech High School](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/09/Tech-High-School-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![AmeriCorps Looking for 26 Tutors to Work at St. Cloud Schools](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/01/Kids-Reading.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tech Morning Show Wins Six Student Production Awards [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/04/attachment-DSC07798.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![LEAF Announces More Than $50,000 in Spring Education Grants](http://townsquare.media/site/241/files/2020/09/RS9908_122486570-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![LEAF Fundraising For Homeless St. Cloud Students Throughout April](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2020/09/tutoring.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Nelson Named Next Assistant Superintendent for St. Cloud Schools](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/03/attachment-Kay-Nelson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud Unveils New City Hall at Grand Opening Event [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2022/03/attachment-DSC07527.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hat Prohibition Temporarily Suspended for Some St. Cloud Students](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/08/District-742-Logo-Stock-Image-Bus.jpg?w=980&q=75)