MREA Budget Webinar Recording Now Available

mreaadminEarly Learning, Facility Fallout, Opportunity Gap, Other Rural Issues, Quality Teachers

MREA hosted a virtual meeting today to review Governor Dayton’s budget proposal released last week. MREA Director of Legislative Action Sam Walseth discussed the budget’s impact on education in Greater Minnesota as well as legislative reaction to the proposal. In case you missed today’s meeting, here are two opportunities to catch up: Hear the discussion with Sam’s commentary and the slides. View the slide presentation only. … Read More

MREA Report Shows Impact of Property Trends on Schools

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog, Facility Fallout, Other Rural Issues

Minnesota has seen significant changes in values of its agricultural production land and seasonal recreation properties. Those changes affect the Net Tax Capacity (NTC) of school districts. This report outlines the impact and results of removing agricultural production land from school building debt levies. View the print-friendly version of the report. What’s Happening Rising Ag Land Prices: The average price per acre … Read More

Four Key Areas to Address for Education Funding and Policy

mreaadminBalance Local Control, Capitol Insider Blog, Early Learning, Facility Fallout, Other Rural Issues

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

Governor's Plan Budget Battle Lines Being Drawn

mreaadminAchievement Gap, American Indian, Assessment and Accountability, Balance Local Control, Capitol Insider Blog, Career and College Readiness, Early Learning, Facility Fallout, Other Rural Issues, Quality Teachers

By Sam Walseth, MREA Director of Legislative Affairs Governor Mark Dayton’s release of his 2016-17 budget plan last Tuesday has set the stage for the budget battle that will consume the remainder of the 2015 session. The public’s role — our role — in this process is going to fade sooner than we know it. Now is the time to engage … Read More

What Proposed Phy Ed Legislation Means for Schools

mreaadminBalance Local Control, Capitol Insider Blog, Other Rural Issues

A bill on increasing physical education requirements, introduced by Sen. Susan Kent, DFL Woodbury, caught some media attention last week.  MREA raised a series of concerns about SF 343 in its testimony to Senate E-12 Committee last Thursday. Nobody doubts the importance of physical education — and promoting healthy lifestyles with students. MREA questions the wisdom of the mandates contained … Read More

Participate in School Climate Survey

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

MREA encourages its members to participate in the School Climate Survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Education. Complete the 20-question survey about school climate, the importance of school climate and the resources needed to work on school climate. The deadline is 5 pm on Feb. 13. This web-based survey is anonymous and directed at superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals and … Read More

Governor Releases Education Plan

mreaadminAchievement Gap, Balance Local Control, Capitol Insider Blog, Early Learning, Facility Fallout, Opportunity Gap, Other Rural Issues, Quality Teachers

Governor Dayton released his proposed budget for the FY 16-17 biennium that would invest $343 million in education. Here’s a look inside the Governor’s plan for education: An increase to the general education formula by 1 percent in each year of the biennium, for a total cost of $174.4 million. Providing $109 million to expand four-year old preschool across the state. The Governor’s plan … Read More

Gaining School Calendar Flexibility in 2015

mreaadminBalance Local Control, Capitol Insider Blog, Other Rural Issues

Recently, there has been considerable discussion about school district flexibility in creating school year calendars given the late Labor Day holiday and start dates for 2015, 2016 and 2017. If this is a concern in your district, MREA recommends your school board to adopt a resolution to start school before September 8, 2015, and to request legislators to enter a bill on behalf of the school … Read More

Legislature Takes on Education Hot Topics

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog, Early Learning, Facility Fallout, Other Rural Issues

By Sam Walseth, MREA Director of Legislative Action This week the House and Senate Education committees are reviewing proposed legislation on the topics of early childhood education, school facilities and technology. Early Childhood Senate E-12 on Wednesday morning will review SF 6 calling for state reimbursement to schools providing four-year old preschool education. Later that day the House Education Finance … Read More

School Capital Levies Tax Discussion Coming

mreaadminCapitol Insider Blog, Other Rural Issues

Expect a thorough discussion this session, especially in the House Property Tax Committee, on converting school capital levies tax base from Adjusted Net Tax Capacity to Referendum Market Value. Adjusted Net Tax Capacity (ANTC) includes all agricultural production land and seasonal and recreational property. Referendum Market Value (RMV) excludes agricultural land and seasonal and recreational. MREA has connected with a … Read More