The Minnesota Department of Education will host regional meetings throughout the state to discuss the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and staff want to learn and hear thoughts about ESSA and the vision so far for Minnesota’s state plan. ESSA, the nation’s latest pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education law, was signed into law in December 2015. It’s the newest version … Read More
Technology, Teacher Recruitment Top Priorities in Omnibus Bill
The House and Senate Education Committees passed their education finance bills on schedule last week. They neatly bracket the Governor’s target of $60.77 million. The Senate’s budget tops $100.5 million, while the House spends $52 million. Both bodies assume that several districts with Capital loans will repay their loans thus providing the state with an infusion of $52 million. Even … Read More
Vacancies Announced for State Boards
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has released new vacancies for state boards, councils and committees. Citizens in Greater Minnesota are encouraged to apply and serve. Current education-related vacancies are: Advisory Committee: Blind and Visually Impaired Vacancies: Three seats including- one special education director, one non-profit agency member, and one parent representative. Board of Trustee of the MN State Colleges … Read More
Budget Forecast Retracts to $900 Million
The updated state budget forecast released today reveals a slight retraction in the $1.2 billion surplus initially projected as of December to $900 million, according to Minnesota Management and Budget. Legislative leaders now have to grapple with the budget news as they head into session on March 8. The competition for tax cuts, transportation spending and early learning funding just got more … Read More
21 Candidates Vying for MREA Board
Twenty-one individuals are vying for six open positions on MREA’s 2016 Board of Directors. All four membership zones will have at least one open position as of Jan. 1, 2016. View a list of the candidates for each of the zones below and read their election statements. Candidates will introduce themselves to MREA membership at the Annual Meeting on Nov. 17. … Read More
2016 Board Candidates, North Zone
The following individuals have applied for one open School Board Representative position for the North Zone on the 2016 MREA Board of Directors. To qualify, they must serve on a school board for an MREA member district. School Board Representative Karen Christianson Mesabi East, School Board Member Serving on the MREA Board is a way to continue advocating for rural schools … Read More
2016 Board Candidates, South Central Zone
The following individuals have applied for the open position of At-Large Representative for the South Central Zone on the 2016 MREA Board of Directors. To qualify, they must be a resident or staff of an MREA member district in the South Central Zone. At-Large Representative Douglas Brands Worthington, Teacher I am currently in my 17th year of teaching high school math. I have been … Read More
2016 Board Vacancies, North Central Zone
The following individuals have applied for two open positions — Administrator and Teacher — for the North Central Zone on the 2016 MREA Board of Directors. To qualify, they must serve as an administrator (superintendent, principal, curriculum director, etc.) or a teacher for an MREA member district. School Administrator Representative Lance Bagstad Park Rapids, Superintendent I am currently the superintendent of … Read More
Voices and Views on Concurrent Enrollment
Inside Higher Ed Article (October 20, 2015) Sen. Franken’s Letter to Higher Learning Commission Grand Forks Herald Editorial Star Tribune Article Watchdog.com Article Minnesota Senator Carla Nelson’s Letter in Rochester Post-Bulletin Education Week Article (October 1, 2015) Education Week Article (October 13, 2015) MREA Executive Director Fred Nolan’s Letter to Star Tribune Center for School Change Joe Nathan’s Opinion Editorial Joe Nathan: College … Read More
Share Voice at Area Meetings
MREA invites all its members to attend an Area Meeting this August and September to share their voice on issues important to their school district. Area Meetings start Tuesday in Walker and Wednesday in Virginia. Every fall MREA’s advocacy staff hits the road to gather input from MREA members. We review outcomes from the last legislative session, preview upcoming issues, and help members understand how their districts are impacted. Check out … Read More