Purpose

• To appropriate funds from the General Fund to the Department of Education for PTECH implementation grants. The goal is to support and advance PTECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) initiatives, including a specific focus on a public-private partnership that includes Rochester Independent School District No. 535.

Main Provisions

• PTECH implementation grants are authorized under Minnesota Statutes section 124D.093, subdivision 5.
• A dedicated annual grant of 500,000 is provided for a public-private partnership that includes Independent School District No. 535 Rochester.
• The Department of Education may retain money from this appropriation to cover administrative costs related to the PTECH grants (under the referenced statute), even if that uses a provision that normally caps or restricts such retention.
• Any remaining balance from the appropriation in fiscal year 2026 may be spent in fiscal year 2027 (carryover of funds to the next year).
• For fiscal year 2028 and later, the base funding is set at 2,625,000, with at least 500,000 per year designated for a support grant to a public-private partnership that includes Rochester 535.

Administrative and Carryover Details

• The bill explicitly allows the Department of Education to retain some funds from the appropriation to cover administrative costs related to administering the PTECH grants.
• Balance that remains in fiscal year 2026 can be carried forward and used in fiscal year 2027, enabling longer use of the funds beyond the initial year.
• A steady, ongoing funding level is established for future years (2028 onward) to continue supporting PTECH activities, with a minimum annual amount reserved for Rochester-focused partnership support.

Signficant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a targeted appropriation for PTECH implementation grants, tying funding to a specific Rochester partnership, and clarifies that some of the funds can be used for administrative costs.
• Introduces a carryover mechanism from 2026 to 2027, allowing funds to be carried forward beyond the fiscal year in which they were appropriated.
• Establishes a long-term funding baseline for 2028 and beyond, with a mandatory minimum annual allocation for a Rochester-involved public-private partnership, signaling stable, ongoing support for PTECH initiatives.

Entities Involved

• Department of Education (receives and administers the funds)
• Independent School District No. 535 Rochester
• Public-private partnerships involved in PTECH grants (including the Rochester partnership)

Summary of Intent

• The bill aims to fund and sustain PTECH programs through grants, while prioritizing a public-private partnership in Rochester. It also provides flexibility for administrative costs, carryover of funds, and a dedicated long-term funding path to support continued PTECH implementation beyond the initial years.

Relevant Terms - PTECH implementation grants - Minnesota Statutes 124D.093, subdivision 5 - public-private partnership - Independent School District No. 535 Rochester - Department of Education - General Fund - fiscal year - carryover - administrative costs - 16B.98 subdivision 14 - Rochester