The 2013 legislative session will be remembered for a few important education finance and policy reforms. All day kindergarten funding became a reality, the GRAD rule was retired from the statute books, school boards gained some ability to levy operating funds and equalization for operating levies was enhanced. Amidst these changes it was easy to miss another potential game changing … Read More
MREA Board Openings Available
MREA is now accepting nominations for six seats on the MREA Board of Directors, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Individuals from MREA full membership districts are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to serve and represent school districts in rural Minnesota. Individuals may nominate themselves or someone else. Nominations must be submitted online and need to include a Statement of Interest that will … Read More
MREA’s Eleven Fall Area Meetings Point to 2014 Platform
From Preston to Thief River Falls, from Virginia to Slayton, and location in between, MREA Executive Director Fred Nolan facilitated Platform Development Meetings with MREA Contract Lobbyist Sam Walseth. The conversations provided input on opportunities and challenges facing districts as MREA prepares the 2014 Legislative Platform. Nearly all participants rated the meetings as valuable or very valuable, and were satisfied … Read More
Work of Five Education Task Forces Underway
Five of the state education task forces established by the legislature last session have begin work. The appointments announced to date reveal rural Minnesota is under represented in these task forces focused on key issues in our state. The legislature called for seven task force or councils. These task forces address complicated issues which have competing interests in how the … Read More
Appointments Announced for Career Pathways and Technical Education Group
The members of the Career Pathways and Technical Education Advisory Task Force have been appointed. Of the 23 members of the task force, only 3 are from rural Minnesota, and only 8 represent K-12 schools. The other representatives are from post-secondary institutions, businesses and economic development personnel. Two rural legislators are also members of the Task Force: Rep. Kathy Brynaert (DFL) … Read More
State Task Force Focuses on Special Education Case Loads
A state task force focused on special education case loads will meet Tuesday. The Special Education Case Loads Task Force has been charged with providing recommendation on the appropriate numbers of students with disabilities that may be assigned to a teacher, both with and without paraprofessional support in the classroom, and for cost-effective and efficient strategies and structures for improving student … Read More
Standard Adult High School Diploma Task Force Members Appointed
The commissioner of education has appointed members to the Standard Adult High School Diploma Task Force. One of the nine members on the task force is from rural Minnesota. View the Task Force Membership. The task force is focused on making recommendations for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons: Who are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services. Who do … Read More
School Facilities Financing Working Group Begins Work
The commissioner of education, as directed by the 2013 Legislature, must convene a working group to develop recommendations for reforming the financing of prekindergarten through grade 12 education facilities to create adequate, equitable, and sustainable financing of public school facilities throughout the state. The scope of the working group recommendations must include funding options for facilities projects currently financed with … Read More
Teacher Licensure Task Force Meets Oct. 3
The 2013 Minnesota Legislature established a 20-member Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force to make recommendations to the Board of Teaching, the commissioner of education, and the education committees of the Legislature on requirements for teacher applicants to: Demonstrate mastery of reading, writing and mathematics skills through nationally normed assessments, a professional skills portfolio, or accredited college coursework, among other methods … Read More
Funding
The significant policy change enacted by the 2013 Legislature was to permit School Board’s Levy Authority on Referendum Market Value (RMV). Prior to 2013, school boards could levy on Adjusted Net Tax Capacity (ANTC) with Health and Safety levy, with approval from MDE, and the 40 largest school districts with Alternate Financing for facility maintenance. RMV is primarily homes, farmsteads … Read More