The 2013 Distinguished Service Award recipients demonstrate legislative leadership at its best. They addressed a significant state-wide problem, without a direct self-interest, and to assemble and hold together a coalition of legislators to pass significant legislation that changes and improves the direction and outcomes of education for Minnesota. Pictured (left from right): Mike Vasek, vice chair of the MREA Board … Read More
Election Results for MREA Members
Congratulations to the member districts whose voters approved operating referendum and bond questions last week, and empathy and sympathy to those whose voters did not. We all have been on both sides the Wednesday after an election. 22 member districts voters approved operating referendums last Tuesday of the 26 who put questions to the voters. 86% of member operating referendum questions passed. … Read More
Three State Board Openings
The Board of Teaching and the Board of School Administrators have open positions Nominations are due by Nov. 26. Please nominate an individual today to help bring the rural voice to these statewide boards. The Board of Teaching has an opening for a teacher. The Board of School Administrators has opening a Community Education Director and a Public Member, which … Read More
Dibb To Speak On World's Best Workforce Requirements
Steve Dibb, assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, will give educators, administrators and school board members an inside look at what all the legislative talk about creating the “World’s Best Workforce” is all about during a session at the MREA Annual Conference on Nov. 18. Hailed as the capstone of a historic session for education in Minnesota, the K-12 … Read More
Increasing the Teacher Supply
By Vernae Hasbargen During the two years Republicans controlled the legislature, business groups pushed hard to raise the skill level of teachers by instituting tests called the “Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations” (MTLE). Starting in 2010, candidates seeking licensure in Minnesota must pass the MTLE math, reading, and writing tests, a pedagogy test consisting of two subtests, and a test on … Read More
Teacher Development and Evaluation Workshops Planned
“Phenomenal compared to MDE’s sessions last year.” “Seeing Ed Minnesota and MSBA presenting together with a common set of materials lowers the anxiety of teachers, administrators and boards and enables everyone to come together and work on a plan.” “Helpful framework. It walks you through the statute.” “I would strongly recommend this [workshop] to other districts.” These are some of … Read More
MREA Releases Map on Facility Maintenance Funding Disparity
The Facility Task Force has identified issues of concern surrounding facility funding. One that’s been highlighted is the inequity that has grown between the 25 districts qualifying for the alternative facilities bonding program and the more than 300 who done don’t. The inequities have grown so large that these 25 spend $2.79 per square foot and all the other districts … Read More
Alternative Bonding and Growing Inequity
By Sam Walseth, MREA Director of Legislative Affairs The state Task Force has identified issues of concern surrounding facility funding. One that’s been highlighted is the inequity that has grown between the 25 districts qualifying for the alternative facilities bonding program and the more than 300 that don’t. The inequities have grown so large that these 25 spend $2.79 per … Read More
Facilities Task Force Considers Big Policy Changes
By Vernae Hasbargen If there was one key reason for the E-12 funding changes passed in the last session, it was one person – Tom Melcher, Director of School Finance in the Minnesota Department of Education. Actually make that 27 key people who were part of a working group headed by Melcher and charged with making E-12 funding more adequate and … Read More
Join Conversation on High School Alignment
Minnesota policymakers and legislator have brought the alignment of high school, post-secondary education and work force development needs to the forefront over the past year. Your district can enter this conversation in a direct way through participation in one of five Leadership Summits on Aligning Systems through Post Secondary Partnerships for Student Success to be held in December. Learn more and … Read More