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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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