By Lori EhdeOne way for Luverne to have a voice in the state Legislature is to invite legislators to Luverne for a visit.With schools facing another difficult round of budget cuts again this year, Superintendent Vince Schaefer invited southwest Minnesota legislators to Luverne for a chat.Sen. Jim Vickerman wasn’t able to attend, but Rep. Doug Magnus stopped in both Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne school districts Friday afternoon."I’m glad that Vince pulled the meeting together," Magnus said. "There is quite a bit of discussion right now about K-12 funding. … Over 40 percent of the state’s general fund budget goes to K-12 education."Schaefer said the time was well-spent."I think there is value in staying connected with Rep. Magnus and all of the legislators," he said, "so we know at least we’ve had the option to provide input."Attending the meeting with Schaefer and Magnus Friday were School Board members Colleen Deutsch and Laura Herman, Lowell Binford, Bill Weber, District Finance Officer Marlene Mann and second-grade teacher Jane Cote, representing the Luverne Education Association.Discussion topics included:oStatewide health insurance;oThe governor’s alternative compensation plan for teachers;oBudget timelines — letting schools know funding allocations within the first 30 days of the session, so districts can negotiate contracts within regulatory timelines;oWeighting formula for per-pupil funding;oPossibility of a local option to start school on Sept. 1 rather than after Labor Day;oRestoring early childhood funding that was cut during the last session and increasing kindergarten funding;oStaff development funding — allowing more to be used for the general fund;oIncreasing state funding without strings attached;oChanging the tax structure for education (property tax versus state and income tax);oEquity between metro and out state schools."The bottom line question remains the same: What will the new money amount be, above and beyond the current level of funding?" Schafer said."We have been victimized by money being moved around and being called ‘additional’ funding. It amounts to a shell game that to some looks like additional funding when it’s not."After the meeting, Magnus said he would work for a solution that would involve a simple funding increase."Education finance is extremely complicated," Magnus said, "but I would advocate increasing per-pupil funding, not changing the formula or adding to it."Schaefer said he decided to invite Magnus to Luverne in an effort to be proactive with the legislative process."It’s important to provide information before a decision is made," Schaefer said, adding that he asked Magnus to stay in touch before education bills are voted on.He said too often legislators are swayed by voices in the metro districts, which have needs that are different than out state schools."Sometimes we feel ignored out here," Schaefer said."We extended to Rep. Magnus our willingness to assist him and other legislators by providing information, statistics and more at their request so as to pass the best legislation possible."Magnus also visited Hills-Beaver Creek School District Friday, and Worthington Sunday."It was great," he said about Luverne’s discussion. "I look forward to working with Vince and the others."