In follow up to the last post, there are several other bills that are currently being discussed at the capitol. Our superintendent and director of finance have mentioned these in past meetings, including the concern for the challenging financial impact they will have on most, if not all, school districts in MN. While they may sound beneficial on the surface, the statutes can be restrictive and may not come with any funding from the state. This will place a huge financial burden on our district, one that I am still trying to understand as I learn school finance. Kyle Christensen is the chair of the school board in Farmington, MN (where I lived for 14 years and my children started school there). He explains some of the effects on districts well, “HF 1522 (introduced as 1690/1691) and SF 1384 (introduced as 1632/1633) will take inherent managerial rights of school boards and school administration and make them a term and condition of employment that must be bargained. This includes items such as class size, staff to student ratios, e-learning days, and student testing. Requiring school boards to negotiate e-learning days with labor unions erects a pointless barrier preventing school districts from flexing due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. But most of all, the cost of provisions in this legislation will bankrupt school districts by requiring hiring of hundreds of additional staff (unclear if that’s fully funded) and the need to create additional classroom space for smaller classes.”
Just a few of the hundreds of House bills mentioned above:
/https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/bs/93/hf1690.pdf
/https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/bs/93/hf1691.pdf
/https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/bs/93/hf1271.pdf
/https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/bs/93/hf1348.pdf
From MN School Boards Association (MSBA):
They have created a spreadsheet with education related bills and will have regular updates on their website: /https://mnmsba.org/at-the-capitol/stay-connected/#bills
A nice summary and explanation of legislation and how MSBA is working for our schools: /https://mnmsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/MSBALegislativePlatform2023.pdf
This is quite overwhelming. If you have a mind and skill geared for finance, government, and lobbying, this suits you well! Contact your representatives, senators, and the education finance committees of the House and Senate. If you are a concerned parent or community member, teacher or school staff member, please express your concerns at our regular school board meeting public forums. We need to hear from you! /https://www.isd761.org/our-district/school-board/meeting-dates
Somewhere and some time ago, I heard someone say, “If you only do what you’ve always done, you’ll only get what you’ve always got.” We can’t do the same thing day in and day out and expect a different result. That’s insanity, right? When left alone, without effort or care, disorder and chaos ensues.
I also want to recognize that many families are hurting deeply due to loss of loved ones. Please be kind to one another. You are in my prayers.
Elizabeth for Owatonna Schools 