MREA encourages members to apply for two openings for the Board of School Administrators. The openings are for a college educator and an elementary principal. The application deadline is Sept. 24. The meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the Minnesota Department of Education Office in Roseville. Get an application. The board consists of ten members appointed … Read More
Three State Task Forces Begin Work
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
Apply for Race to the Top Competition
The U.S. Department of Education announced this week the Race to the Top- District competition. Districts are invited to submit an intent to apply letter by August 23 and applications by October 3. The Race to the Top – District competition awards local educational agencies that demonstrate how they can personalize education for all students in their schools. The Race … Read More
MPR Covers Largest District Consolidation in 16 Years
Tim Post of Minnesota Public Radio looked to MREA Executive Director and member districts as he covered the largest school district consolidation in 16 years. “Not every district needs an accounting office and payroll and things like that,” MREA’s Fred Nolan said in article. “I think you’re going to see more sharing of services and eventually you may see fewer … Read More
Levies: Steps to Take This Summer
By Fred Nolan, MREA Executive Director On May 30, Vernae Hasbargen, a lobbyist with MREA, wrote “The legislature’s game is over and now the ball is in our court.” Here’s a look at what that means and the steps school boards and superintendents should take this summer due to the legislative changes. To close the 5th -95th funding gap and provide … Read More
Apply for State Task Forces by July 23
MREA encourages you to be the Voice of Greater Minnesota Education and raise your hand to participate in one of the five statewide education task forces created as a result of this past legislative session. The application deadline is July 23. It is essential that rural Minnesota’s voice be present on each of these advisory and decision making bodies. In … Read More
School Board Levy Authority – We Got it, Now What Do We Do With It?
By Sam Walseth, MREA Lobbyist Governor Ventura’s now infamous “Big Plan” in 2001 included a state takeover of the general education levy whereby school property taxes were reduced and the state promised to pay the difference with new state revenue. The new revenue never materialized. The legislature didn’t adopt Ventura’s sales tax reform and then a decade of recessions, including … 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