The Senate E12 Committee dug the Senate’s omnibus education bill, SF1495, last week. Along with several other items, the bill from Chairman Wiger would ease the requirement for teachers who have not passed the required basic skills test. They would be able to obtain up to four, rather than the current two, one-year temporary teaching licenses, and the bill requires a streamlined … Read More
Raise Voice on School Calendar Flexibility
With the late start to school next September, many local school districts have requested flexibility from their legislators for the next school year start date. Earlier Start More than 40 school districts have told MREA their school boards passed resolutions requesting the ability to start school before Labor Day in 2015. The Senate’s omnibus education policy bill (SF 1495) grants … Read More
Budget Plans Begin to Hatch
As the policy deadlines loom the discussion about respective budget plans is starting to emerge. With a $1.9 billion surplus in hand the debate about education should be a matter of how much and where to spend it. The House Ways & Means Committee meets Monday morning to take testimony on what should be the upper limits of spending by … Read More
Education Policy Shaping Up As Deadlines Loom
March madness is in full swing at the state Capitol. This Monday marks the beginning of the first bill deadline. By Friday policy bills must clear their respective policy committees in order to be viable to continue on this session. Traditionally there’s an omnibus education policy bill and that’s true this year as well. The House and Senate education policy … Read More
Inside the Education Technical Policy Bill
The House Education Innovation Policy Committee on Thursday began dissecting HF1591, sponsored by Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton). The proposed legislation serves as the Minnesota Department of Education’s policy bill and contains a number of wide-ranging proposed policy reforms brought forward by Department Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. Its companion, SF1495, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood), was heard Wednesday in the Senate … Read More
Many Education Bills in the Air
MREA has been especially busy this year advocating on behalf of Greater Minnesota schools. There are a series of bills in the air. Here’s a rundown of what they are by key issue and where they stand at the Capitol as of now. Each includes the bill authors and where possible, links to their text and status at the legislature. … Read More
March Madness Ignites with $1.9 Billion Surplus
Minnesotans received positive news about their state budget on Friday from the February budget forecast. Last December the state projected a surplus for the next two years (fiscal years 16-17) of $1.04 billion. The updated forecast now estimates a surplus of $1.87 million. The $832 million in projected growth is largely due to a expected increases in income and sales tax … Read More
Senate Debates Basic Funding Formula Increase
Two bills related to the general education funding formula and one related to compensatory revenue were all laid over for possible inclusion in the Senate E12 omnibus bill. SF163, sponsored by Sen. John Hoffman (DFL – Champlin), would increase school district basic revenue formula allowance to $6,131 starting in fiscal year 2016. SF541, sponsored by Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL – … Read More
School Calendar Flexibility Heats Up at Capitol
The House Education Innovation Committee heard last week from many communities seeking flexibility from state requirements on local school calendars. Many districts are seeking waivers this coming year and longer from the requirement to start school after Labor Day. Several districts also requested the ability to maintain their current four-day school weeks. Many school boards have adopted local resolutions asking the state … Read More
Four Key Areas to Address for Education Funding and Policy
The release of Governor Mark Dayton’s budget plan calls for $373 million for E-12 education. While that represents 56 percent of the projected ongoing surplus revenue, it is closer to 15 percent of all new state revenue when considering state revenues are projected to grow 6.4 percent or $2.5 billion over the next biennium. Learn more about the Governor’s Budget Plan. … Read More