Three of the task forces established by the Legislature last session began work this month. They include the Teacher Licensure, Career Pathways & Technical Education and School Facilities. MREA will monitor and regularly report on the work of this task force for our members. Here’s a look at what’s happened so far: Teacher Licensure The 20-member Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force … Read More
MDE Announces Task Force Appointments
The Minnesota Department of Education has announced appointments to the Schools Facilities Working Group. The members include: Joe Arthurs – Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals Earl V. Athman – Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Mark Bollinger – Open Appointment Paul Bourgeois – Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Greg Crowe – Open Appointment Kim Eisenschenk – Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Kevin Hildebrandt … Read More
MREA Launches Social Media Partnership with Districts
MREA currently is partnering with six school districts to develop and implement a strategy using social media to better connect with parents and their communities. The Social Media Project, launched last spring, includes providing districts a social media plan and providing half-day training sessions to their teams. The next session will be held in Grand Rapids on Aug. 19. If … Read More
MREA Convenes American Indian Advisory Committee
“This is long overdue,” and “We need to do this again” were the comments and overall feeling of participants at the first MREA American Indian (AMI) Advisory Committee meeting. The committee met with BIA School Superintendents, Tribal Nations Education Directors, and Dennis Olson, MDE Director of Indian Education, on July 15 at Northern Lights on Leech Lake. The American Indian graduation … Read More
Heroes for Rural Minnesota Last Session
By Sam Walseth, MREA Lobbyist As the dust settles on the 2013, and there’s a lot of dust to settle, it’s clear that several rural legislators played instrumental roles in advancing public education goals supported by Minnesota’s rural education leaders. They deserve a “thank you” from school leaders. Our Requests MREA members developed a state policy platform last fall that … Read More
MDE Releases Resources on Impact of Session
MDE released Friday new resources, including new lookup table and district run, to help districts better understand how the legislative changes made last session impact them. This run reveals regional centers getting biggest percentage increase over the biennium compared to the base. Get more resources here. Tom Melcher, school finance director for the Minnesota Department of Education, also has been traveling the … Read More
Nominate an Innovative Project
MREA seeks to recognize an innovative program that got results in Greater Minnesota schools this past school year with its annual Profile of Excellence Award. Nominations are due June 14. View the submission requirements. MREA will recognize the 2013 recipient at its Annual Awards Banquet in November at Cragun’s on the Lake in Brainerd. The annual Profiles of Excellence Program aims to … Read More
Sign up for State Education Task Forces
The legislature established seven education task forces with the adoption of the E-12 Omnibus Bill this past session. MREA encourages members to serve on these important task forces. Please submit nominations to MREA by emailing the name, title, school district and task force name to mrea@mnrea.org. View the details of all of seven groups at outlined by law or learn more about … Read More
Legislature’s Game Over: Ball is in our court
By Vernae Hasbargen, MREA Lobbyist The Legislature finished its work a week ago and hit the road to sell the public on what they had done. Republicans pointed to tax increases while Democrats to investments those taxes created, but so far it is not clear which message is resonating with the public. While $2 billion in new taxes can sound … Read More
Legislature Establishes New Task Forces & Working Groups
The Legislature has established seven new task forces and working groups to continue to address key issues in education. These groups include: Career Pathways and Technical Education Advisory Task Force Adult High School Diploma Task Force Teacher Licensing Advisory Task Force Online and Digital Learning Advisory Council School Facilities Financing Working Group Special Education Case Load Task Force Minnesota Youth … Read More