MN HF2698

Establishes a six-year matching grant program for school districts, charter schools, and tribal contract schools to hire licensed library media specialists for new positions to address shortages in Minnesota schools.

Prioritizes grant awards to schools without existing library media specialist positions and requires equal distribution of grants between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.

Sets different matching fund requirements based on location and grant year: metropolitan schools must match $1-for-$1 in years 1-4 and $3-for-$1 in years 5-6; nonmetropolitan schools must match $1-for-$3 in year 4, $1-for-$1 in year 5, and $3-for-$1 in year 6.

Requires schools receiving grants to submit annual reports by February 1 measuring impact on student reading performance, library usage, technology standards, literacy, research skills, career and college readiness, or 1:1 technology plans.

Appropriates funds from the general fund to the Department of Education with availability through June 30, 2023, allows up to five percent for program administration, and requires schools to repay full grant amounts if positions are eliminated before the six-year period ends.