The Final K-12 Bill

As you probably already know, the K-12 bill is finally complete. Here is a quick explanation of the policy changes that did not get stripped out of the final version:

http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/125873223.html

And although it is called a "summary", here is a more detailed look at the bill if you are interested:

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ss2011/11-3673sum.pdf

From an Administration and School Board perspective (but not necessarily the perspective of every ICARE member), here is AMSD's (Association of Metropolitan School Districts) take on it:

"If it weren’t for the increase in the school aid payment shift, this would really be a solid bill. Several AMSD priorities were included in the final bill including repealing the January 15 deadline and penalty, repealing the safe schools maintenance of effort requirement, a waiver of the 2% staff development set aside for two years and continued flexibility with fund transfers as long as the transfer does not increase state obligations or increase local property taxes. Another important provision is the repeal of the law that has allowed the state to delay school aid payments in lieu of state short-term borrowing. In addition, AMSD’s initiative to simplify the required ballot language when renewing a capital projects levy was included in the final bill. Another important issue that arose late in the session was the ability of school districts to use prone restraint in limited situations. The bill includes language that will allow limited use of prone restraints until August 1, 2012.

On the funding side, the bill adds $50 per year to the formula and maintains the current law growth factors in the special education funding formulas. The Integration Revenue program continues in its current form for the 2012-13 biennium. A 12 member advisory task force is established to develop recommendations for repurposing integration revenue funds beginning in the 2014-15 biennium. Six members will be appointed by Commissioner Cassellius and three each by Speaker Kurt Zellers and Sen. Amy Koch."

Generally, K-12 funding will be about at status quo for the next two years. The most disappointing, frustrating, etc. (choose your own adjective) part of this agreement is the additional shift. The IOU to schools is now in excess of $2 billion and it is hard for me to imagine our elected officials ever coming together to pay the money back. Below is a link explaining what shifting funds means for school districts:

http://www.minnpost.com/learningcurve/2011/07/07/29795/shifts_101_what_new_proposals_would_mean_for_minnesotas_schools

We will need to continue to press all elected officials on their commitment to adequately fund our schools and pay back the shift!

Latest in the Negotiations 7/14/11

Governor Dayton today agreed to a June 30 budget proposal with several conditions (see link below). Part of this would entail a larger K-12 funding shift.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/125567238.html

The ball is in the Legislature's court, and I'm sure we have not heard the end of this. The condition to strip the bills of policy positions could be particularly contentious. Stay tuned.

May 18 - Visit to the Capitol

On Wednesday May 18 we will be taking a trip to the Capitol. Please meet at noon at the Information Desk. We need to have our voices heard!

March 21 Links

Here are some interesting links about what is going on now:

Video of the March 1 SLP ICARE forum

MPR article on what is included in the Education Omnibus Bill

Study on Charter Schools

March 1 - Education Funding and Legislative Forum

We will be having a forum about school funding and what is going on at the Legislature on Tuesday March 1. Sen. Steve Kelley, Sen. Ron Latz, Rep. Steve Simon, Rep. Ryan Winkler, Sen. Terri Bonoff and Mary Cecconi, the Executive Director of Parents United, have confirmed that they will be attending. It will be from 7:00 to 8:30PM in the High School, Room C350.

Star Tribune Education Funding Article

Here is a very interesting article in the Star Tribune about education funding. It underscores the need for groups like ours to advocate for our schools at the legislature.

2011 Legislative Session Links

A few SLP ICARE members went to the Parents United Legislative Kick-Off earlier this month. Here are the slides to the presentation along with some other pertinent links for this legislative session:

Parents United Legislative Kick-Off Slides

AMSD 2011 Bill Tracker

Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition Platform

Brenda Casselius: Mark Dayton's Choice for Education Commisioner

Mark Dayton has chosen Brenda Casselius to be his Education Commissioner. Here is the press release:

In her 20-year career as a classroom teacher, administrator and superintendent in school systems both in Minnesota and Tennessee, Dr. Brenda Cassellius led reform, redesign and change efforts that put students first, focused on achievement, and have resulted in better outcomes for all students. Dr. Cassellius believes that change can happen quickly if it is purposeful, collaborative, and grounded in effective strategies.

“Dr. Casselius brings proven leadership in education innovation in both Minnesota school districts and in other states,” Governor-elect Dayton said. “Her experience will enable her to bring together the different education stakeholders and policymakers with differing viewpoints to build the consensus that public education in Minnesota has been lacking for too long.”

“This is a great privilege and responsibility,” said Dr. Cassellius. “I look forward to working with Governor-elect Dayton in tackling the challenges facing education in Minnesota, as well as supporting the many things we do well. The Governor-elect and I share a commitment to our state’s children and families, and I am eager to get to work in making a better and stronger school system for every child in Minnesota.”

Dr. Cassellius is currently the Superintendent of the East Metro Integration District, where she leads an achievement agenda with the 10 district superintendents. Previously, as an Associate Superintendent in the Minneapolis Public Schools, she led 19 middle and high schools and was responsible for the implementation of the Minneapolis Secondary Redesign. As the Academic Superintendent of Middle Schools in Memphis Tennessee under the leadership of former Minneapolis Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson, Dr. Cassellius was responsible for middle school and district reforms that led to accelerated gains and the narrowing of achievement gaps among students in Memphis.

Committee Assignments

Below are the committee assignments for the Minnesota House and Senate for 2011-12:

House

Senate

In terms of education and our own SLP representatives, Ron Latz is on the Senate Higher Education Committee.

New Education Committees and Chairs in the Legislature

Here is how Politics In Minnesota describes the new chairs for the Education Committees in the Minnesota House and Senate:

House Education Finance: Pat Garofalo

Entering his fourth term, Garofalo is known around the Legislature as one of the most thoughtful conservative voices on K-12 matters - “not a school-basher, but a genuine innovator,” in the words of one former GOP colleague. Known as a pragmatist, he has better relationships with DFLers than many of his caucus mates.

Garofalo hails from a very conservative party of the Twin Cities suburbs. Early in his legislative career, he drew a GOP challenger who had a base of support among local Republicans despite the fact Garofalo had cast conservative votes on guns and social issues. He weathered the storm and has won re-election by strong margins. Garofalo has a 73 percent lifetime ranking from the Taxpayers League of Minnesota.

House Education Reform: Sondra Erickson

During her previous tenure in the House (1998-2007), Erickson served as vice-chair of K-12 education policy during the last Republican House majority, and counted as her proudest accomplishment the repeal of the state’s Profile of Learning standards. An advocate of local control, she was also known to fulminate against federal No Child Left Behind standards. Erickson is more strident and more doctrinaire than her budget committee counterpart in the House, Pat Garofalo. “She’s a pedagogue,” notes one House source, “and she is always ready to teach everybody what’s what.” Her committee will likely be the venue where legislators resurrect the bill that allows alternative pathways to teacher licensure. The measure has been a priority of the Obama administration. The statewide teacher’s union fiercely opposed the proposal last spring.

Senate Education Budget & Policy: Gen Olson

There were rumblings early in the year that Olson was among the group of long-entrenched GOP moderates in the Senate who were getting a push toward the door. Sens. Dennis Frederickson and Pat Pariseau took the hint and announced their retirement; Olson dealt with the pressures by announcing that her current two-year term - her ninth in a Senate tenure that began in 1983 - would be her last. She thus takes up a critical gavel as a lame duck.

Olson has a rather lonely role in representing the traditionalists in the caucus, a fact that was underscored when she ran for Senate president after the election and lost to Michelle Fischbach. Olson has a long background on Senate K-12 education committees and played a key role in abolishing the State Board of Education. She memorably broke down in tears in 2005 when the DFL-controlled Senate Education Committee voted against confirming controversial Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke. Insiders say they expect her to be a calming presence on a flashpoint committee in 2011.

Hopkins School District Candidate Forum - October 5th

The Hopkins School District Legislative Action Coalition will be putting on a Candidate Forum on October 5th from 7-9pm at Eisenhower Community Center. Candidates for all state House and Senate candidates that represent their district are invited and since there is some overlap, the SLP representatives and senator (44A, 44B and 44, respectively) and opponents will be included. This will be great opportunity to find out about the candidates' positions on public education.

May 4 and 11 Visits to the Capitol

On Tuesday May 4 and Tuesday May 11, SLP ICARE will be going to the State Capitol to show support for public education, talk and learn about the current education legislation and meet with some legislators. We will be there from 10-12 each day. Please let me know if you would like to join in. We will meet at the Information Desk.

I have set up meetings with Sen. Ron Latz both days at 11:00. Rep. Steve Simon has also responded that he is willing to meet with us. Additionally, we can join the Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition who will also be at the Capitol. On May 4, they have meetings scheduled with Sen. Terri Bonoff (11:30) and Rep. Mindy Greiling (12:00) who is the K-12 Education Finance Division Chair.

May 2010 Links

Here are some pertinent links to education legislation:

Bills currently in the legislature (from AMSD)

Status of bills currently in the legislature

Parents United

St. Louis Park Schools

Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition