MASMS 2021 Legislative Platform

The Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals Association (also known as MASMS) is a group of over 700 individuals working in facilities, grounds, health and safety operations for Minnesota K-12 and higher education. We are committed to promoting excellence in the operation and care of educational facilities. To meet our mission, MASMS has taken positions on the following legislative considerations:

Long Term Facility Maintenance Revenue (LTFMF) – Deferred Maintenance:

MASMS advocates for closing the funding gap for deferred maintenance between the Alternative Facility districts and the districts using LTFMR. We believe the statutory limit on revenue for LTFMR should be removed as long as a school district’s 10-year facilities plan is approved by the Commissioner of Education, consistent with current practice for the 25 districts now eligible for Alternative Facilities revenue.

MASMS opposes efforts to expand the allowable uses of LTFMR, which would diminish the revenue available to address deferred maintenance needs.

Facility Improvements:

To address facility improvements outside of the LTFMR and Alternative Facilities limitations, MASMS supports the facility funding recommendations contained in the 2020 MDE School Finance Work Group report and other programs including:

• Increasing state support for Debt Service Equalization
• Creating a Homestead bond credit
• Expanding the $65/pupil lease levy for districts using cooperative educational facilities
• Increasing Safe Schools revenue to schools and cooperative educational entities
• Maintaining the Ag2School building bond property tax credit at 70%

Radon Testing:

MASMS supports legislation requiring schools to test for radon according to industry standards. Costs associated with radon testing can be covered through Health & Safety revenue already available to schools.

Unclaimed Pharmaceuticals:

MASMS supports legislation making it clear that school personnel are not allowed to transport unclaimed drugs or medications and that law enforcement is required to assist in these matters.