Tonight at midnight, the 2015 session must end according to the state’s constitution. Legislative leaders have negotiated a two-year budget plan that, if signed into law by Governor Dayton, will spend $42 billion. The legislature’s plan leaves $1 billion on the bottom line for them to negotiate with when they come back into session on March 8, 2016. The budget plan does … Read More
Education Deal Reached with $400 Million Target
The Education Conference Committee convened early Sunday morning. The E-12 bill (HF 844) approved by the committee members spent the $400 million target that leadership gave them on the following major provisions for fiscal years 2016-17: Formula increases of 1.5% and 2%: $283.75 million (71% of $400 million) School Readiness: $30.75 million over two years Early Learning Scholarships: $30.75 million over two years Long … Read More
Editorial Urges Substantive Investment in AMI Students
Pointing out that Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s proposed $20M investment in Minnesota’s students who are American Indian would go far to address educational opportunities, an editorial in today’s StarTribune urges the Minnesota Legislature to make a substantive investment in the education of these students. “Minnesota lawmakers must not squander the opportunity at hand to take a serious run at improving the state’s still dismal education … Read More
Education Conference Committee Appointed
Legislators were appointed last week to the committee that will negotiate many of the details of the education finance and policy provisions that have survived the process thus far and provide a shared plan for a final vote. Rep. Jennifer Loon (GOP-Eden Prairie) and Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-North St. Paul) will serve as co-chairs of the Education Conference Committee. View MREA’s side-by-side … Read More
Districts Face Cuts With 1&1 Funding Proposal
From Canby and Caledonia to Fergus Falls and Breckenridge, MREA members are speaking out and asking for more regarding the Minnesota legislature’s proposed general education funding increase of 1 percent each of the next two years (commonly referred to as “1&1 on the formula”). Letters to newspaper editors and community members from rural school administrators across Minnesota indicate teacher cuts, fewer class electives, and … Read More
Big Education Issues at Play
Both the Senate and the House have approved their education plan and the Education Conference Committee has been appointed to negotiate and develop the final education plan for Minnesota. View the Committee members. Here’s a look at the big issues at play: The Formula Stuck at ‘1&1’ or less, the proposed investments in the basic formula are still too low … Read More
Commissioner Talks Issues with MREA Board
Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius talked about issues that affect Greater Minnesota schools with the MREA Board of Directors on Thursday. Commissioner Cassellius shared her hopes for the session and the challenges still ahead. During the morning discussion, the Commissioner and MREA Board members reviewed a variety of issues ranging from teacher shortages and the restrictive Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exam … Read More
AMI "Success" Funding Needs Advocacy
Success for the Future (SftF) is included in both the Senate and House Omnibus Education Bills, although at levels far less than the $14.8M in Governor Dayton’s proposal. It is important that AMI schools continue to advocate with their Senator and Representative(s) that an increase in SftF funding and making SftF a permanent categorical source of funding is a high priority for … Read More
MREA Comments on Proposed Integration Rule
MREA submitted written comments on the possible Amendment to Rules Governing School Desegregation/Integration. The 2013 Legislature amended the Achievement and Integration Statutes 124D.861 and 124D.862. The Minnesota Department of Education created an advisory group and proposed rules to implement these statutes. MREA supports the overall direction of these rules to count American Indian (AMI) students among the protected classes of students … Read More
Senate Presents Bill on Indian Education
The Senate E-12 Finance Committee on Thursday heard and laid over SF2027 sponsored by Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids) that would expand funding to more schools for Indian Ed programming. The bill mirrors the Governor’s supplemental budget with additional state funding for several programs that support public schools districts with 20 or more American Indian students and each of the state’s … Read More