Why does teaching matter? How do you make a difference? MREA welcomes educators and education affiliates to submit proposals to share their best practices, solutions, and research. Proposals to present breakout sessions at MREA’s 2016 Annual Conference are due Friday, May 27 . MREA seeks teaching profession and rural education presentations that: Explore redesigning teaching to meet expectations for today’s teaching professionals Enhance … Read More
School Report: Aid Down, Levies Up, Funding Flat
Per-pupil state aid to schools has fallen 10 percent and operating levies have increased dramatically over the past 15 years, when adjusted for inflation. The combination has resulted in flat per pupil funding over 15 years when adjusted for inflation. These trends are clearly visible in this chart from a recently released, detailed report on statewide and individual district funding … Read More
House Approves Extending Equity Revenue Increase to All Schools
The House Omnibus Education Bill extends the 25 percent increase in equity revenue to all school districts in the state. This revenue is currently available only to school districts with their administrative offices located in the 7-county metropolitan area. This increase is the only ongoing, widely-available, general fund increase in either the Senate or House Omnibus bills. See how this … Read More
House, Senate Provide Broadband Funding, Approaches Differ
The House and Senate both approved broadband funding last week in their omnibus bill packages. As one-time appropriations from both bodies, these funds would work to further provide high-speed internet access greater Minnesota by expanding availability and testing accuracy. But the approaches differ. The House on Wednesday passed the omnibus bill for agriculture, environment and natural resources, job growth, and energy affordability … Read More
Session Insight: Will Legislators Reach a Deal?
The 2016 legislative session must end three weeks from Monday and as expected we’re nowhere close to a grand bargain that would bring resolution to transportation, taxes, bonding and supplemental spending. This shouldn’t be a surprise as every legislative session sees the major issues pile up in partisan wrangling as we head down the stretch. View MREA’s complete side-by-side comparison of the legislative … Read More
Amendments of Interest Made in House, Senate Debates
Before the House and Senate approved their supplemental budget bills last week, a series of key amendments were made that impact P-12 education. MREA provided a brief overview of amendments of immediate interest below. View MREA’s complete side-by-side comparison of the legislative proposals. House Amendments Education Finance Chair Jennifer Loon (GOP Eden Prairie) added an amendment to increase the loan forgiveness program … Read More
Nominate Best Programs and Practices
Now is the time to nominate your best practices and programs from this school year for MREA’s 2016 Profiles of Excellence Awards. From Ada to Zumbrota, across Greater Minnesota, MREA wants to know about members’ programs that serve as examples of innovative educational opportunities for our rural students. What are the compelling practices or programs at your school or educational organization? Criteria Consider these questions as … Read More
Nominate Best Programs and Practices
Now is the time to nominate your best practices and programs from this school year for MREA’s 2016 Profiles of Excellence Awards. From Ada to Zumbrota, across Greater Minnesota, MREA wants to know about members’ programs that serve as examples of innovative educational opportunities for our rural students. What are the compelling practices or programs at your school or educational organization? Criteria Consider these questions as … Read More
Policy Concerns as End of Session Draws Near
The House and Senate are each bringing forth new education policy proposals, several of which create new mandates and reporting requirements. MREA encourages you to contact your legislators and urge them to work on striking these provisions from a final Education Policy bill that could emerge this session. Here are the primary issues of concern from the policy bills: House … Read More
Progress Update on MREA Platform Issues
The House and Senate are each bringing finance and policy proposals that MREA supports to end of session negotiations. Here’s a snapshot of some of the provisions, organized by the issues outlined on MREA’s 2016 legislative platform: Facility Fallout The House tax cut package contains an Agricultural school bond credit of 50 percent. MREA is in strong support of this … Read More