MREA encourages members to apply for two openings for the Board of School Administrators. The openings are for a college educator and an elementary principal. The application deadline is Sept. 24. The meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the Minnesota Department of Education Office in Roseville. Get an application. The board consists of ten members appointed … Read More
Literacy Instruction Class Available for ESL students
The University of Minnesota will provide an online course on Elementary literacy instruction for ESL students this fall. This three-credit course is designed for graduate students and in-service teachers who teach reading and writing in English to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. It focuses on: How is learning to read in a new language the same or different from reading … Read More
Three State Task Forces Begin Work
Three of the task forces established by the Legislature last session began work this month. They include the Teacher Licensure, Career Pathways & Technical Education and School Facilities. MREA will monitor and regularly report on the work of this task force for our members. Here’s a look at what’s happened so far: Teacher Licensure The 20-member Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force … Read More
MDE Announces Task Force Appointments
The Minnesota Department of Education has announced appointments to the Schools Facilities Working Group. The members include: Joe Arthurs – Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals Earl V. Athman – Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Mark Bollinger – Open Appointment Paul Bourgeois – Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Greg Crowe – Open Appointment Kim Eisenschenk – Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Kevin Hildebrandt … Read More
Summer Session on Storms and More?
Summer storms are nothing new to Minnesota, but the costly damage left in the wake of them has started a new trend in St. Paul. Governor Dayton is again considering calling the legislature into a one day special session on Monday, Sept. 9 to appropriate several million dollars to 18 counties effected by severe rain and wind storms in June. … Read More
MREA Launches Social Media Partnership with Districts
MREA currently is partnering with six school districts to develop and implement a strategy using social media to better connect with parents and their communities. The Social Media Project, launched last spring, includes providing districts a social media plan and providing half-day training sessions to their teams. The next session will be held in Grand Rapids on Aug. 19. If … Read More
Apply for Race to the Top Competition
The U.S. Department of Education announced this week the Race to the Top- District competition. Districts are invited to submit an intent to apply letter by August 23 and applications by October 3. The Race to the Top – District competition awards local educational agencies that demonstrate how they can personalize education for all students in their schools. The Race … Read More
Telecommunications Grants Available Now
A recent Telehealth Grant offered by the US Department of Agriculture program will allow rural school districts across the nation, an opportunity to obtain a $500,000 Distant Learning and Telehealth Grant, offered by the USDA. US Tele-Medicine, a leader in telehealth services is offering a Matching Funds Program that will enable school districts across the USA to obtain the grant. … Read More
MREA Convenes American Indian Advisory Committee
“This is long overdue,” and “We need to do this again” were the comments and overall feeling of participants at the first MREA American Indian (AMI) Advisory Committee meeting. The committee met with BIA School Superintendents, Tribal Nations Education Directors, and Dennis Olson, MDE Director of Indian Education, on July 15 at Northern Lights on Leech Lake. The American Indian graduation … Read More
MPR Covers Largest District Consolidation in 16 Years
Tim Post of Minnesota Public Radio looked to MREA Executive Director and member districts as he covered the largest school district consolidation in 16 years. “Not every district needs an accounting office and payroll and things like that,” MREA’s Fred Nolan said in article. “I think you’re going to see more sharing of services and eventually you may see fewer … Read More