ESEA Reauthorization is set to be heard on the Senate Floor on July 7. The House and Senate both have bills out of committee and ready for the floor. Many amendments are expected, but each will take 60 votes to be adopted. Both the House and Senate have adopted a budget resolution and are moving through the appropriations process. The … Read More
MDE Releases Look Up Table on Impacts
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) just released the FY ’16 and ’17 runs and look up table based on the results of the 2015 special session signed education bill. MREA downloaded the report and makes it easily accessible here: View the impact on your school. School districts can see the financial impact the bill has on their respective districts by putting their … Read More
Distinguished Service Nominations Due Friday
The MREA Board of Directors is seeking nominations for the Distinguished Service Award to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to rural education. Nominations are due Friday, July 10. MREA will honor award recipients at the MREA Annual Conference Banquet on Nov. 16. The MREA Board established the Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and seeks to recognize individuals who … Read More
Long-Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) Equalized Levy Webinar Now Available
More than 80 member superintendents and business managers joined on online meeting June 29 to learn about new levy legislation passed during the MN Legislature 2015 Special Session. MREA hosted the session on the new Long-Term Facility Maintenance (LTFM) board-authorized equalized levy. The meeting featured a great lineup of experts: Tom Melcher, MDE School Finance Division Greg Crowe, Ehlers, Inc. Mike Hoheisel, Robert W. Baird … Read More
Governor Signs E-12 Bill into Law
The special session of the Minnesota Legislature ended over the weekend and the Governor Dayton has signed all of the special session bills into law. The E-12 bill, now Chapter 3 of the 2015 Special Session (SS HF 1 for those who want to look it up) provides $525 million for E-12 schools over the next two years. View details by issue. Overall the … Read More
AMI Students Win in Special Session
American Indian Students (AMI) were big winners in Minnesota’s 2015 special legislative session E-12 bill, Success for the Future (SftF). All districts, charters, and Bureau of Indian Education schools with over 20 AMI students will receive $20,000 base funding plus $358 per AMI student over 20. The 2014-15 Success for the Future grantees are held harmless at their FY ’15 funding. In all, … Read More
New, Improved E-12 Bill Unveiled
On Friday, a new and improved $525 million E-12 bill emerged for approval during an upcoming special session. This bill includes 2&2 on the formula, more money in existing early learning programs like scholarships and school readiness and a major expansion of American Indian Education funding. Statewide access to an equalized levy for deferred maintenance funding stayed in the final … Read More
Special Session Plans
On Friday, the House Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee held a joint hearing to review four bills that are paving the way to a special session. Included in this package of bills is the new and improved E-12 bill that contains $525 million in new spending on a variety of education initiatives over the next two years. The … Read More
MDE Seeks New Licensing Director
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking a new education director of personnel licensing. Richard Wassen, current director of licensing at MDE, is retiring. This position provides leadership, management and oversight of the Division of Educator Licensing, which is responsible to: administer, process, and record licensure of educators; maintain and improve the educator state licensure system; serve as the Department’s … Read More
Ed Rep Needed for Children's Mental Health
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State released the June 2015 notice of vacancies for state boards, councils and committees. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. Application forms are available online and must be submitted by June 23, 2015, to be assured of full consideration by the appointing authority. Current education-related vacancies include: Subcommittee … Read More