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Greetings!
Update from the Capitol and the Community
The legislative session is well underway, and in fact, will most likely be done by the end of April. There will be a recess the week of April 7th. This means that there is lots of activity at the Capitol.
Bills to watch:
- HF2244 - Creation of a permanent board to manage and build revenue from the Minnesota trust lands. Support
- HF2840 - A bill implementing many of the Integration Revenue Replacement Advisory Task Force recommendations. Support
- HF1860 - A bill allowing referendum revenue to follow a student to a charter school. Oppose
- HF1858 - School district operating referenda required to be held during even number election years. Oppose
- HF 973 (Companion bill SF 637) School boards would be authorized to renew and expiring referendum. Support
Bills of interest:
- SF 1751 (Companion Bill HF2181) FasTRAC adult career pathway program. This bill relates to the adult workforce and the ability to increase the post-secondary credentials in high demand jobs that would then allow for a more livable wage.
- HF2083 - This bill increases the school district aid payment shift percentage from 64.3 to 70.2, adjusts appropriations accordingly and contains other education provisions.
- HF1870 - (Companion Bill SF1690) - The "Last In, First Out" bill allows school districts to consider performance, and not just tenure, as a criteria in demotions, discharges and layoffs.
- SF1656 - Would require approval from the legislature for revision of high school graduation requirements or academic standards revision.
- Constitutional Ammendments - The RAS LAC opposes constitutional amendments that cap spending as a percentage of the previous year's revenues, forecasted revenues or the requirement of a supermajority vote. We believe this distorts the role of policymakers and could impact government reform efforts.
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Do you know your child has a trust fund?
On Friday, March 16th, the Robbinsdale Legislative Action Coalition Steering Committee was fortunate enough to have the "Godmother" of school land trust join us. Representative Denise Dittrich (DFL)- Champlin met with the LAC Steering Committee, several neighboring school district LAC members and Representatives Lyndon Carlson (45B) and Sandra Peterson (45A). After a five-year fight, she saw significant movement on the bill (HF2244) Monday.
When Minnesota became a state, the federal government set aside sections of land for the use of public schools. These lands are managed today by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Revenues earned from the land are invested by the State Board of Investment. The interest and earnings are deposited to the Permanent School Trust Fund and distributed to Minnesota school districts.
Other states have increased the earnings by implementing an independent agency to manage the lands. Representative Dittrich believes the fund could increase by millions of dollars with the implementation of a such a committee here in Minnesota.
The passing of HF2244 on Monday (104-26) puts the control in the hands of a five member permanent school board rather than the DNR. The Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition supports Representative Dittrich, her efforts and this bill.
For more information, please see the following:
Dittrich sees long desired reform bill pass the House
HometownSource.com
Utah School Trust Land experts visit MN
School trust lands could be better managed without DNR, legislator says - MINNPOST Back to the top
The bill to form a permanent board to manage and build revenue from the Minnesota trust lands crossed the first hurdle in the legislature Monday, March 19th.
In order for this bill to become law, it must also pass the senate and be signed by Governor Dayton. Unfortunately, a similar bill was gutted in the senate earlier this year. Voices, letters and emails make a huge impact. As supporters of the house version (HF2244), we urge you to call or email a message, similar to the one below, to your senator and Governor Dayton. Please use the links on the right side of this newsletter. I am a concerned citizen and parent and wish to communicate my support for the bills which would allow for the implementation of a formal administration/management team for the school land trusts (HF 2244). These lands should be properly administered and managed to provide the best possible results for Minnesota students.
An independent board of directors, made up of experts in all areas, will best be able to fulfill the duties of a trustee.
At a time when finances are tight for everyone, the ability to increase revenue for Minnesota students is the right thing to do.
Thank you,
Back to the top Upcoming Events:
9:00 a.m. This year's theme, "By the Numbers," will feature State Demographer Tom Gillespie and State Economist Tom Stinson. Information on the interconnections between demographics, economics, our kids' classrooms, their needs and Minnesota's future. If you are interested in attending and/or would like to carpool, please contact kimberley_lewis@rdale.org or 763-504-4087. Back to the top
Amazing things can happen when people communicate - when they share ideas, listen and compromise. Earlier this fall, the bipartisan Integration Aid Task Force, half appointed by Republican leadership and half by the governor, approved a plan for allocating $108 million to help integrate schools and close the achievement gap.
Last week, Representative Mariani (DFL) - St. Paul introduced a bill (HF2840) that would put into law many of the recommendations of the Integrated Revenue Replacement Advisory Task Force. It is doubtful there will be a hearing until after the committee deadlines and at that point it would be an informational hearing. The task force's report is a recommendation to the legislature. It now awaits further discussion. Achievement and Integration for Minnesota (AIM), if adopted, would continue to prohibit intentional segregation in schools, maintain the current definition of racial isolation for schools/districts and require districts to work toward eliminating racial disparities. What is new in the recommendation is clarification of how resources can be used. The highest levels of funding would be allocated to the districts demonstrating progress and alignment with the AIM program. There are strong accountability measures proposed including the development of metrics in collaboration with Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). In addition, an annual external evaluation would be required. Robbinsdale Area Schools (RAS) has directly benefited from integration funding over the years. It implemented the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program in 2006-07 school year. Since then it has successfully helped students who are academically ready for college, but may not have otherwise been exposed to post secondary education or who might be under represented in a four-year college setting. It is currently offered at Robbinsdale Middle School, Robbinsdale Cooper and Armstrong High Schools. Forest, Lakeview, Meadow Lake, Noble and Northport Elementary schools have seen first hand the success of full-day kindergarten. Minnesota Academic Progress (MAP) tests indicate a student's progress over time. Those students who participated in full-day kindergarten and/or Early Childhood progreams are consistently higher than those without the early interventions. With the AIM program, RAS will be able to continue to offer and grow opportunities to close the achievement gap, as well as raise the bar. By most accounts, the task force should receive an A for all of its efforts and the deliverables. The Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) is continuing to talk with representatives and advocating that the recommendations are enacted in legislation. Robbinsdale Area Schools can be especially proud as one of the task force's committee members is Helen Bassett, a member of our school board. |
