Monday Report.  Monday is characteristically a slow day early in the legislative session as legislators make their way back into the Capitol from their districts.  Each house has a floor session, but those sessions tend to be short and used almost solely for introducing bills at this juncture.  There were fireworks in the State Office Building today as the raises Governor Dayton gave to his cabinet and several other officials were debated energetically.  There will undoubtedly be push-back on that decision, but it is difficult to know what can be done to totally reverse the action.  But that doesn't mean it won't find its way into the discussion in some form or another for just about every day remaining in the 2015 legislative session.

You Have to See This.  The New York Times Education Life section that accompanies the Sunday The New York Times periodically was included in this week's edition.  With all the talk about universal pre-kindergarten and other programs that promote kindergarten readiness, I thought this story was one of the more interesting ones I have come across recently.  I guess being ready for first grade isn't enough.  6-year-olds have to be ready for college as well.

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/education/edlife/is-your-first-grader-college-ready.html?ref=education

Bill Introductions.  

Senate

SF 630 -- Clausen -- Qualifies certain homeless children for early educational services -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF0630&session=ls89&version=latest&session_number=0&session_year=2015

SF 652 -- Johnson -- Creates vision therapy pilot -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF652&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 658 -- Jensen -- Clarifies referendum revenue authorization for Owatonna school district -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF658&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 664 -- Torres Ray -- Requires report on efficacy on teacher preparation programs -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF664&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 665 -- Torres Ray -- Reaffirms the importance of teacher mentoring programs -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF665&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 676 -- Dahle -- Makes charter schools and the Crosswinds Integration Magnet eligible for small schools revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF676&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

House

HF 667 -- S. Anderson -- Modifies K-12 education expense tax credit -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF667&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 670 -- Davnie -- Increases Local Option Revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF670&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 671 -- Newton -- Increases state aid for school breakfast program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF671&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 672 -- S. Anderson -- Allows computer science course credit to fulfill a mathematics requirement -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF672&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 674 -- Bernardy -- Increases funding for Minnesota reading corps program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF674&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 681 -- Erickson -- Clarifies teacher skills examination test -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF681&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 689 -- Hamilton -- Permits Red Rock Central school district to open school before Labor Day for the 2015-2016 school year -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF689&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 694 -- Bly -- Ensures nontraditional instruction program choices -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF694&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 702 -- Norton -- Clarifies foreign language proficiency skills for gold and platinum bilingual and multilingual state seals -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF702&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 703 -- Howe -- Requires a study on a concurrent enrollment course -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF703&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 704 -- Howe -- Modifies certain enrollment options provisions -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF704&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 712 -- Davnie -- Increases general education basic formula amount by 4% for 2015-2016 and provides for annual inflationary increases thereafter -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF712&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 718 -- Loon -- Clarifies definition of general education revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF718&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 719 -- Loon -- Clarifies definition of general education revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF719&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 720 -- Loon -- Repeals the student achievement levy -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF720&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 721 -- Loon -- Modifies requirements for placing teachers on unrequested leave of absence -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF721&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 724 -- Bernardy -- Provides full funding for college concurrent enrollment program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF724&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 727 -- Wills -- Provides postsecondary enrollment options program information to students and parents -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF727&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 732 -- Quam -- Changes the definition of a Type III vehicle -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF732&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 733 -- Petersburg -- Clarifies referendum revenue authorization for Owatonna school district -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF733&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 739 -- Davnie -- Increases general education, extended day, special education, EL, and phase-in of universal pre-school program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF739&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

Review and Preview.  It was a hectic week and things are only going to get more hectic.  The week was highlighted by the Senate DFL caucus' announcement of its funding proposals and it is certainly a comprehensive package that would meet a lot of school district needs.  Foremost among the proposals is Senator Kevin Dahle's SF 76, which would expand eligibility to the alternative facilities program from 25 districts to all of the districts in the state.  It has a considerable price tag in terms of local levy and state equalization aid to mitigate the effects of those local levies, but there's no question that there are unmet facilities needs for most school districts in the state and the current array of facility programs don't go nearly far enough in providing school districts with the tools they need to stay ahead of their facility needs.  Not to sound snide, but if anyone should understand the need for comprehensive deferred maintenance funding, it should be legislators, who are now surrounded by a Capitol that is undergoing massive (and I mean massive) repairs.  There's a long ways from here to there, but here's hoping that facility funding stays front-and-center in this year's legislative proceedings.

Another bill introduced in the House on Thursday by Representative Steve Drazkowski and soon to be introduced in the Senate by Senator Lyle Coenen is the bill that would put all future debt service levies on the referendum market value tax base from which agricultural property is removed.  The impetus behind this bill is the consistent and continuing rise in the value of agricultural property and how that is affecting rural communities that are trying to pass debt service levies.  This bill could fit nicely with the aforementioned SF 76, but a lot will depend on how much state money will be available for the property tax equalization needed to make the approaches fully mesh.  Here is hoping for an uptick in the state's revenue position when the February forecast is released at the end of the month.

The upcoming week will also be busy.  The House Education Innovation Policy Committee will be hearing HF 2, Representative Jenifer Loon's comprehensive teacher licensure bill, on Tuesday morning.  The House Education Finance Committee will be taking testimony on the implementation of the Health Insurance Transparency Act in the afternoon on the same day.  The Senate Education Finance Committee will be hearing Senator Alice Johnson's School Breakfast bill on Tuesday.  Wednesday features a slew of bills on waiving the Labor Day start for the 2015-2016 school year being heard in the Senate, with the House Education Finance Committee tackling two early childhood education bills.  Thursday will see the discussion of teacher issues, math standards, and expanding eligibility to enroll in concurrent enrollment in the House and Minnesota Department of Education reports from the Teacher Development and Evaluation and the Testing Reduction Advisory Group.

Always check on the legislative website for upcoming hearings.  Here is the link:  http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/schedules.aspx

Congrats to Beth Giese!  Cannon Falls Superintendent Beth Giese has been named this year's winner of the Kay Jacobs award, an annual award given by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.  Here's a story from the Cannon Falls Beacon on the award that provides more background on Beth and the award.  Beth truly deserves the award, as she's worked very hard on a tight budget to help lead that district.

Link:  http://www.cannonfalls.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25435&TM=69104.45

Great Job Once Again by the Southeast Service Cooperative.  The Southeast Service Cooperative had its annual Legislative Forum on Saturday in Rochester.  As usual, the forum was an astounding success.  If you ever want to know how to set up a successful legislative forum, check with the folks at the Southeast Service Cooperative on how to set it up and then get Dover-Eyota Superintendent Bruce Klaehn to be the emcee.  Over a dozen legislators attended and the presentations by the local superintendents on a variety of issues facing the school districts in Southeastern Minnesota were superb.

Here is a link to the Powerpoint presentations from the superintendents.  Video of the forum may be available in the near future.

Link:  http://www.ssc.coop/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=29&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=1045&PageID=1

Hearings and Press Conferences.  It was a very busy day in the legislatoeducation (my made-up word) world in St. Paul today with three education-related hearings and two education-related press conferences.  The day started with a hearing in the House Education Innovation Committee that featured testimony from a number of career and technical programs throughout the state.  It was an interesting hearing that showed how school districts are trying to reach a segment of the student population that is interested in pursuing technical training.

While the House committee was having that discussion, the Senate Education Finance/Policy Committee was debating Senator LeRoy Stumpf's SF 298.  SF 298 allows the Minnesota Board of Teaching to grant full licenses to teaching candidates who have not achieved the requisite score on the ACTPlus Writing or SAT test under certain circumstances.  The hearing featured some very compelling testimony from several teachers and administrators who are hamstrung by the current teacher licensure requirements that they believe treat qualified teaching candidates unfairly.  The theme put forward by Senator Stumpf's witnesses was that of allowing school districts to make decisions on individuals they believe are qualified to teach students in their districts.  There is this unspoken belief put forward by some that school districts don't have the ability to figure out who is and who is not a good teaching candidate.  Several witnesses took that mindset on directly, also pointing out that the teacher development and evaluation program that takes effect this year will give school districts another tool in raising the performance of teachers.  Stay tuned on this one.

The House Education Finance Committee heard a presentation by two participants from the Teacher Development and Evaluation-Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System Alignment Work Group convened last summer by the Minnesota Department of Education along with Rose Hermodson, the MDE staff person who has worked with a broad range of advisory groups, task forces, and working groups over the past few years.  The primary recommendations of the working group call for:  (1) a merging of the alternative compensation and teacher development and evaluation programs, and (2) all districts should receive the same level of state funding to accomplish the purposes set out by the combining of those programs.  Obviously, there is a funding challenge given that any funding for this purpose was not contained in the Governor's initial budget and no bills have been introduced to this point that would provide funding to supply resources to non-alternative compensation districts.  I have greatly condensed the recommendations, but the full report can be viewed at his link:  http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Welcome/AdvBCT/TeachDev/index.htm  It is the second link from the top.

Now to the press conferences.  Room 181 was busy.  Proponents of Early Learning Scholarships held a press conference at 11:30 announcing their intention to seek increased funding of Early Learning Scholarships in the coming session.  It is certainly a broad-based bipartisan coalition that is coming forward.  Bills containing this budget request were introduced in both houses today--SF 606 (Cohen) and HF 603 (Kresha)--and it's my guess those bills will be heard relatively soon.  House Education Finance Committee chair Jenifer Loon stated her support of Early Learning Scholarships over universal pre-kindergarten funding in comments she made to Minnesota Public Radio.  While one approach does not preclude the other, given the fiscal constraints that the Legislature will likely face as it attempts to put together its omnibus education funding packages, it may be difficult to invest heavily in both programs.  Again, stay tuned.

Here is the link to a MinnPost article that does a pretty good job summing up the differences in the two approaches and the challenge facing the legislature:  http://www.minnpost.com/learning-curve/2015/02/early-ed-hot-capitol-rift-focus-all-kids-or-risk-kids

And here is the aforementioned MPR story:  http://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2015/02/early-learning-plans-compete-for-money/

The Early Learning Scholarship press conference was followed shortly thereafter by a press conference on the treatment of agricultural property in school debt service referendum.  Representative Steve Drazkowski and Senator Lyle Coenen are introducing a bill that would base all future debt service questions on referendum market value (from which all agricultural land is excluded) instead of adjusted net tax capacity (which includes agricultural property).  Agricultural land values have been skyrocketing over the past decade and with the erosion of the debt service equalization program, the property tax burden on agricultural property has likewise skyrocketed.  Agricultural land is a very special case, as unlike other revenue-generating property, farmers are forced to take the price the market offers as opposed to being able to hike the price of what they sell in order to accommodate higher property taxes.  Taking agricultural land off the tax base for debt service questions would obviously move the burden onto homes and businesses, but there may be ways to mitigate the effects of that shift, albeit probably not totally.  SEE has worked tirelessly since its inception to tackle issues in the property tax world that create disparities in opportunity or cause taxpayers to assume too great a burden in attempting to pass operating or debt service levies.  This issue may be a bit more complex than straightforward equalization policy, but it's a discussion that needs to take place.

Here is a story from KTTC television on the press conference:  http://www.kttc.com/story/28035370/2015/02/05/new-legislation-would-ease-property-tax-burden-on-on-rural-landowners

Bill Introductions.

Senate

SF 524 -- Clausen -- Modifies principals' academy provisions -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF0524&session=ls89&version=latest&session_number=0&session_year=2015

SF 541 -- Clausen -- Increases general education basic formula by 4% for 2015-2016 with on-going inflationary adjustments in subsequent years -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF541&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 550 -- Weber -- Allows Red Rock Central school district to start school before Labor Day in 2015-2016 -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF550&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 553 -- Torres Ray -- Requires school districts to adopt a policy on recess for elementary school students -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF553&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 557 -- Clausen -- Appropriates money for schools to develop Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF557&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 559 -- Clausen -- Amends alternative teacher licensure and teacher license reciprocity policy -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF559&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 560 -- Coenen -- Increases equity revenue for all districts -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF560&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 564 -- Hoffman -- Modifies school lunch aid -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF564&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 593 -- Lourey -- Allows fund transfer for Barnum school district -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF593&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 597 -- Marty -- Service learning provisions including integration of service learning into the curriculum and grant program for evidence-based service learning programs -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF597&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 604 -- Kiffmeyer -- Establishes funding mechanism by which districts with low levels of per pupil funding can move closer to state average per pupil funding (in SEE platform) -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF604&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 606 -- Cohen -- Increases funding for Early Learning Scholarships -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF606&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 607 -- Kent -- Appropriates money for the Minnesota Reading Corps -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF607&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 608 -- Miller -- Authorizes school boards to implement flexible learning year programs without approval from Minnesota Commissioner of Education -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF608&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

House

HF 567 -- Wills -- Increases school board flexibility for allocation of compensatory revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF567&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 568 -- Wills -- Appropriates money for the Minnesota Reading Corps -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF568&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 569 -- Nornes -- Appropriates money for the regional library system -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF569&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 583 -- Kresha -- Appropriates money for  regional library telecommunications and equity in telecommunications access -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF583&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 584 -- Kiel -- Appropriates money for a mobile manufacturing lab -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF584&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 589 -- Fenton -- Amends provisions relating to teacher licensure reciprocity -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF589&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 597 -- Slocum -- Modifies Minnesota State High School League policy relating to charter school students -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF597&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 598 -- Mariani -- Amends a requirement for generating state English learner aid -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF598&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 603 -- Kresha -- Increases funding for Early Learning Scholarships -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF603&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 605 -- Newton -- Promotes adequate levels of school counseling services -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF605&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 638 -- Whelan -- Postpones statutory review of state mathematics standards -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF638&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 642 -- Erickson -- Requires reports on principal and teacher evaluations -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF642&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 643 -- Fenton -- Modifies principals academy provisions -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF643&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 645 -- Kiel -- Clarifies requirements to issue a Minnesota teaching license to an out-of-state applicant -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF645&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 648 -- Quam -- Modifies career and technical revenue funding provisions -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF648&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 663 -- Baker -- Additional equity revenue for all school districts -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF663&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

Senate DFL Releases Education Priorities.  It's a comprehensive list, but one cannot help but be impressed with the Senate DFL caucus' ambitious list of education priorities for the 2015 session.  Senator Chuck Wiger and five of his colleagues outlined an package that would cost and estimated $500 million of education funding initiatives.  SEE's top legislative priority of fair facilities funding is contained in the set of priorities and Senator Kevin Dahle's statement at the press conference was a clear indication of the caucus' support for comprehensive action in this area.  The other priorities described at the press conference included:

• Funding for school breakfast.
• A matching grant program to help school districts add school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses to their staffs.
• Increased revenue for technology and expansion of rural broadband.'
• Expanded opportunities for students to earn dual credit through concurrent enrollment.

About the only things missing from the list were anything but a brief mention of the general education basic formula and the need for on-going teacher development and evaluation revenue.  It;s safe to say that the Senate package surpasses the Governor's $394 million and how the Senate will choose to alter the Governor's overall budget proposal to generate the revenue to fund its education package.  The February budget forecast that is due in three weeks may provide another shot of revenue to the bottom line and that could prove helpful in making all the pieces fit together.

From this tweet, it appears the Governor is open to the Senate's priorities:  https://twitter.com/GovMarkDayton/status/563031386177961985?cn=cmVjb3NfZXhwbG9yZQ%3D%3D

The House majority caucus has yet to release a list of their education funding priorities.  They have set a course on several policy reforms, particularly as it relates to the use of seniority in the determination of teacher layoffs.  I think the biggest problem will be reconciling the overall spending targets between the Senate and the House as it is expected that the House will do more in terms of tax cuts.

Here is an article from the StarTribune on the Senate's education proposal:  http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/290803631.html

And here is MPR's take:  http://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2015/02/senate-dfl-education-plan-grows-larger/

Super Busy Tuesday.  There was a full slate of education hearings today.  The Senate Education Finance Committee spent its time on three bills.  In addition to Senator Weber's bill dealing with tuition agreement between the Hendricks school district and the state of South Dakota, the committee heard SF 96 (Senator Kiffmeyer's bill to expand the metro equity region) and SF 133 (Senator Dahle's bill that would provide Teacher Development and Evaluation Revenue to education districts and special education cooperatives).

SF 96 elicited quite a bit of conversation.  A group of SEE districts that are located just outside the metropolitan area have been striving for the past few years to have their particular circumstances recognized in the equity revenue formula.  For all practical purposes--except a very strict definition of geography--these districts are metropolitan districts.  A considerable number of the residents in these districts work in the metropolitan area.  These school districts compete against metropolitan districts for staff and their contract negotiations are complicated by the fact that their employee groups use metropolitan districts' salary schedules in their demands.  The debate around the bill was spirited, with several legislators questioning why the boundaries of the metropolitan area should be altered for this formula.  There is no question that these districts need revenue and that the current formula is unfair as it relates to this set of districts.

Elk River Superintendent Mark Bezek, Elk River Business Manager Greg Hein, St. Michael-Albertville Superintendent Jim Behle, and St. Michael-Albertville parent Steve Hinckemeyer all provided outstanding testimony explaining why a bill like this is justified.  27 districts--all but one below the state average in general education revenue per pupil--would receive additional revenue under this approach and 19 of these districts are SEE members.  The bottom line is that these districts need--and deserve--more revenue and this little formula change is a relatively unobtrusive way to garner that revenue.  The fiscal note for the bill outlines a total state net cost of $481,000 for FY 16 and $457,000 for FY 17.

SF 133 would fill a hole that was experienced by education districts and special education cooperatives due to their being excluded from the one-time teacher development and evaluation revenue passed last session.  That decision wasn't an intentional slight on those education providers.  It was just another oversight likely due to the speed with which the mega-budget bill of last session was constructed.  The cost to this bill--which would take effect immediately to pay for costs associated with the current school year--is about $200,000 over what was originally appropriated for the rest of the state.  The estimated cost when the bill was constructed was a little higher than what has actually been expended, making the cost of incorporating the education districts and special education cooperatives lower than originally thought.  This is something that should happen and it will be interesting to see if this is sent through the process as an individual bill or if it is folded into the omnibus education funding bill.

The House Education Innovation Policy Committee heard three bills related to the school start date for the 2015-2016 school year.  Given Minnesota's prohibition on school districts starting school before Labor Day (except in a few instances), school in Minnesota will start extremely late this coming fall because Labor Day is as late as it can possibly be.  All three bills heard today--HF 466 (Kresha), HF 100 (Norton), and HF 197 (Miller)--were held over by the committee with votes expected on Thursday.

The House Education Finance Committee heard testimony from Jennifer Dugan, the Director of Assessment for the Minnesota Department of Education.  There will be reforms suggested coming from a task force on assessment practices that the Minnesota Department of Education convened last fall and the committee likely wanted a complete description of what Minnesota is currently doing (and why) in the assessment area as a frame of reference for when those recommendations are heard.

First SEE Day on the Hill.  SEE had its first set of visitors at the Capitol today.  SEE members from the Southwest metro area visited with their legislators and made the case for reform of facilities funding programs in Minnesota.  These visits are very effective and SEE staffer Deb Griffiths does an excellent job organizing these visits.  Make sure you check with Deb to see when your region's visit is scheduled and make plans to participate.

Happy Groundhog Day.  The Legislature swings into its second month starting today, but it won't be like the movie Groundhog Day because February is going to be quite a bit different than January.  Most importantly, the Governor's budget is out there and people are reacting to it.  Second, the bills are starting to be introduced at a more rapid pace and a lot of the bills are quite substantial.  Lastly, the updated budget forecast will be released at the end of the month and it's that forecast that will likely dictate the Legislature's action until the end of the session.  If there is an additional amount of revenue available in the forecast, my guess is you'll see budgets get a little bigger (and maybe tax cuts get a little bigger as well) to facilitate a smooth ending to the session.  Just think of revenue as the sandpaper that can smooth down the rough political edges that can complicate the end of a legislative session.  But that story is yet to be written and we'll just have to hold on tight until things take shape.

Achieve Minnesota.  I had the chance to meet with a small group from the newly-founded education reform group Achieve Minnesota.  The members of the small group certainly weren't strangers to me:  former State Senators Amy Koch and Kathy Saltzman.  Former Senator Koch will be serving as Executive Director of the organization, Kathy is also a former SEE staffer and along with Amy, who represented several SEE districts during her tenure in the State Senate, both have a firm grasp of the issues that SEE districts face.  While funding is on Achieve Minnesota's radar, the primary focus of the organization will be education reform, especially issues surrounding teacher quality and the achievement gap.  So welcome to the party Achieve Minnesota.

Bill Introductions.

Senate

SF 441 (Jensen) -- Increasing funding for community education youth after-school enrichment program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF0441&session=ls89&version=latest&session_number=0&session_year=2015

SF 442 (Wiklund) -- Authorizes a grant to The Works Museum -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF442&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 447 (Kent) -- Appropriates money for the Minnesota Children's Museum -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF447&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 467 (Stumpf) -- Creates mobile manufacturing lab -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF467&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 471 (Saxhaug) -- Provides funding to expand career and technical education in STEM fields -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF471&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 473 (Pratt) -- Revises teacher licensure and layoff policies -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF473&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 475 (Rosen) -- Expands list of offenses by which Board of Teaching can deny or revoke a teaching license -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF475&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 488 (Dahle) -- Creates new intermediate school district in Carver, Scott, and and Le Seuer counties -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF488&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 489 (Dahle) -- Provides enhanced debt service equalization for districts with certain unique situations -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF489&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 490 (Dahle) -- Increases school debt service equalization -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF490&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

House

HF 500 (Bennett) -- Expands list of offenses by which Board of Teaching can deny or revoke a teaching license -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF0500&session=ls89&version=list&session_number=0&session_year=2015

HF 509 (Bly) -- Creates new intermediate school district in Carver, Scott, and and Le Seuer counties -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF509&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 548 (Lenczewski) -- Authorizes a grant to The Works Museum -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF548&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 552 (Gunther) -- Appropriates money to the commissioner of employment and economic development for career counseling services -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF552&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 554 (Christensen) -- Requires three-fifths vote to pass legislation reducing the school aid payment percentage below 90 percent -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF554&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 555 (Backer) -- Provides funding to expand career and technical education in STEM fields -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF555&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 557 (Bly) -- Makes charter schools and the Crosswinds Integration Magnet School eligible for small schools revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF557&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

First Month is a Wrap!  This marks the end of the first month of the 2015 legislative session and there haven't been many, if any, surprises thus far.  Both sides of the street have been mapping out their policy territory and it's way too early to tell where most of the battle lines will be drawn.  I think it's safe to say that the dueling visions of transportation funding (Governor with gas tax increase and more ambitious and comprehensive set of proposed improvements versus a House package with no tax increase and by extension a smaller scale proposal) will be among the toughest nuts to crack at session's end.  It has been relatively quiet in most other areas as the Legislature is now poring through the Governor's budget to try and get a stronger handle on what he is proposing and how that fits with their particular visions in the session ahead.

On education,the Governor went in big on early education.  The details are still being unpacked, but it appears the Governor has put a significant amount of increased support into the early childhood scholarship program and providing 4-year-olds with a student "weight" to provide interested districts with a revenue stream to provide universal voluntary pre-school to their residents.  The proposal is not without controversy and the debate may get contentious at some point.  First, funding for the proposal has come at the expense of support for the general education basic formula.  Along with the increase in the projected base increase in the E-12 budget of over $200 million, the Governor has added $392 million.  But out of this $392 million, less than half will be going toward the primary funding engine of the E-12 system:  the general education formula basic amount, which only receives a 1% increase in each year of the biennium under the Governor's budget.  As expected, this is not sitting well with the K-12 community and testimony taken in the House last week bears that out clearly.  There is no question that districts throughout the state will be cutting their budget--some of them significantly--if the basic formula doesn't receive additional support by the time the session ends.

The Governor's budget proposal also overlooks the recommendations of the School Facilities Funding Working Group and the more recent task force that was charged with melding the alternative compensation (QComp) program with the more recently enacted Teacher Development and Evaluation program.  About half the districts in the state are participating in the alternative compensation program and while it will not be easy for a number of these districts to seamlessly incorporate the requirements of the Teacher Development and Evaluation law into their systems, it will likely be easier for alternative compensation districts to accommodate any additional costs that may result from the new direction than it will be in districts that do not have a revenue stream to shoulder these costs.  The price tag for providing non-alternative compensation districts to receive the state aid portion of the alternative compensation formula is gauged to be around $100 million.

As in the case of the Teacher Development and Evaluation program, the Governor chose not to put any money into the suggested improvements for facilities funding contained in the School Facilities Finance Working Group that met in the summer of 2013.  The price tag on the first step toward full implementation of that panel's report would be approximately $200 million for the second year of the biennium.  This state aid entitlement would come both in the form of new revenue and property tax relief through increased debt service and equalization of levies that currently are not equalized or equalized at a very low rate.

One of the frustrations I am having is that these two task forces (along with the more comprehensive education finance working group that met in 2011) have been largely ignored.  All three of these fora have provided a tremendous amount of insight and evidence that Minnesota's education funding framework is in need of more than just some sprucing up around the edges.  SEE was one of the prime movers in the PS Minnesota/New Minnesota Miracle efforts that called for a massive infusion of revenue into the education funding system to make up for the underfunding that had been occurring since the 1990s.  Unfortunately, the downturn in the economy that crippled state finances at the end of last decade prevented the kind of investment that was needed to put the state back on track in this regard.  And while there may be more will to move forward now, it's not like the state (and national) economic picture has improved sufficiently to create the revenue stream significant enough to reach the ambitious goals set out by PS Minnesota/New Minnesota Miracle.

I don't think anyone is expecting a massive infusion beyond what the Governor has suggested and it's probably not possible given the budget constraints and economic uncertainty.  But it would be nice if a nod were given to some of the impressive work that the Minnesota Department of Education has undertaken in the various work groups it has convened over the past four years.

Speaking of Money in Education.  For those of you not familiar with Dr. Bruce Baker, he is an education finance expert and Professor of Educational Theory, Policy, and Administration in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers (New Jersey) University.  Dr. Baker has testified in a number of high-profile adequacy lawsuits throughout the nation and is generally recognized as one of the stronger voices for increased funding for education.  Dr. Baker has a blog entitled School Finance 101 and a great number of his posts make a compelling case for increased funding for K-12 education.  Below is one of Baker's recent entries on why money matters (contrary to the opinion of a number of education reformers).

School Finance 101:   https://schoolfinance101.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/how-and-why-money-matters-in-schools-one-more-time-updated/

Testimony on Governor's Bill.  It's always one of the more uncomfortable pieces of testimony that a lobbyist has to give during the session; reaction to the Governor's budget.  There's always something to like and always something to dislike in the Governor's recommendations and it's no different this year.  The key is finding a balance that respects all of the work that has gone into the development of the budget, thank the Governor for the things that are there, and politely point out things that one wishes weren't there.

My testimony today thanked the Governor for at least putting some money on the general education formula, suggesting a universal/school-based approach on early childhood education, and advocating for more funding for PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports).  The downside of the budget recommendation is that there isn't more there, especially in terms of funding for facilities and funding for school districts that aren't participating in the alternative compensation program to assist with the teacher development and evaluation mandate.  I wasn't alone in my assessment.  Most every educational organization came forward and expressed concerns in the same vein.  Farmington Superintendent Jay Haugen, representing the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, was pretty much the rock star of the day as he pointed out what a 1% increase on the basic formula will mean in many districts.  In a word, most everyone will be cutting.  Haugen, like superintendents and other school personnel throughout the state, are on the front line on this issue and they are the ones who experience the effects of inadequate funding.

Another item I pointed out is that the Minnesota Department of Education has convened some really terrific task forces and working groups over the past couple of decades.  The problem is that bulk of the work product of these groups never seems to find its way into Governors' budget proposals.  This is nothing new, but it is frustrating.  The findings of the School Facilities Finance Working Group and the task force melding the alternative compensation and teacher development and evaluation programs are the results of a lot of hard work and they address some glaring inequities in the school funding framework.  Hopefully, some progress can be made on these issues as the session continues.  As I wrote yesterday, the Governor's budget is simply the first pitch in a long season.  It's a very important first pitch, but there's a long, long ways to go.

School Support Personnel Push.  Here's an opinion piece from Thursday's StarTribune decrying Minnesota's lack of guidance counselors.  It's not just guidance counselors.  Minnesota school districts are light in terms of all types of support personnel, including guidance counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and school nurses.  There will be an effort made this year to provide incentives for school districts to hire additional support personnel and from what I've heard, it will come in the form of incentives and not in the form of mandates.  Given the increasing challenges facing school districts, support personnel have become more important and it will be interesting to see how this effort unfolds and what shape it takes.

Link:  http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/290141021.html

Thursday Bill Introductions.

Senate

SF 398 -- Dziedzic -- Authorizes grants for the collaborative urban educator program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF0398&session=ls89&version=latest&session_number=0&session_year=2015

SF 429 -- Kiffmeyer -- Modifies certain enrollment provisions -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF429&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 430 -- Kiffmeyer -- Requires a study on concurrent enrollment course -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF430&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 434 -- Chamberlain -- Postpones the statutory review of state mathematics standards -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF434&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

House

HF 392 -- Newton -- Allows school board to renew an expiring referendum levy for up to five years -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF0392&session=ls89&version=list&session_number=0&session_year=2015

HF 394 -- Freiberg -- Integrates service learning into Minnesota's education system -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF394&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 424 -- Pinto -- Makes technical change to conform the definition of directory information with federal law -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF424&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 435 -- Newton -- Resolution memorializing President and Congress to uphold federal government's pledge to fund 40% of special education costs -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF435&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 466 -- Kresha -- Permits September 1 school start date for he 2015-2016 school year -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF466&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 471 -- Erickson -- Permits September 1 school start date for he 2015-2016 school year -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF471&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

Busy Day for Commissioner Cassellius.  Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius presented an overview of the Governor's education budget before two committees--the Senate Education Finance Committee and the House Education Finance Committee--on Wednesday.  While not going into the minutiae surrounding the budget, she did provide the rationale used by the Governor in assembling his education priorities for consideration during the 2015 legislative session.  The logic is pretty straightforward.  Given the deficits that many young children experience, the Governor has deemed it extremely important that a comprehensive early education program be developed.  The early learning scholarship program will be part of the Governor's program, but he also wants to greatly expand opportunities for all children through a more universal approach and is proposing that 4-year-olds be "weighted" for formula purposes with the resulting revenue being used for programs to promote early learning.  While there was a bit more detail provided today than what is contained in the budget document, there are still a lot of unanswered questions (which is to be expected) that will need clarification as the proposal moves through the process.

The Senators and Representatives asked a number of pointed questions, particularly why more money wasn't directed toward the general education basic formula or no provisions from the task forces on school facilities and teacher development and evaluation were included in the Governor's budget document.  It will make for an interesting debate as the session continues.

Free College Story.  When Tennessee implemented a free community/technical college plan last year, it was expected that it would create a buzz.  That buzz reached Minnesota earlier this month when Senator LeRoy Stumpf introduced SF 2, a bill that would provide similar benefits to Minnesota students.  Last week, President Obama also embraced the plan in his State of the Union address, which amped up interest even further.  There are obvious cost (and eligibility) concerns, but given continually rising college costs and the oft-discussed (but never really solved) "skills gap," approaches like this are bound to find their way into the spotlight.

Below is a link to the bill and to an MPR story on the concept.

Bill:  https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF0002&session=ls89&version=latest&session_number=0&session_year=2015

MPR Story:  http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/28/free-college

First Day of the Regular Season!  The release of the Governor's budget is kind of like the opening day of the baseball season.  Up to this point, the Governor and legislators have been honing their game; sending up trial balloons and seeing what might stick this session.  The Governor's budget is like the first pitch and from now on we'll be playing ball.

It's always important to treat the initial budget proposal as a first step; a very rudimentary first step.  The Governor outlines his priorities in rough terms and puts his money behind those priorities.  Governor Dayton's top priority this year is very straightforward.  In a speech last Friday, the Governor dropped some less than subtle hints about what direction his budget would head.  He stated in that speech that he was planning on devoting approximately half of the projected $1 billion forecast surplus toward programs for children and families.  Good to his word, the Governor proposed a significant increase in the child care tax credit (over $100 million) and has recommended an increase in the E-12 budget of $371 million over base.  The base is scheduled to rise by $219 million without legislative action, making the total increase contained in the budget $590 million.

It appears that the Governor isn't going to inundate the Legislature with a lot of policy changes.  There are only 14 change items--Governor's recommendations that go above the base--in  the budget. The largest single change item is the proposed 1% increase in the general education basic amount in each year of the biennium.  This accounts for $173 million of the $371 million (46%) of the Governor's proposed increase.  The next largest change item will likely be the most interesting (and perhaps most hotly debated) is the expanded early childhood education program that will provide 4-year-olds throughout the state with access to all-day preschool programs.  That program takes effect in the second year of the biennium and costs approximately $103 million.

Other change items are as follows (biennial costs):

Elimination of Current Head Start Wait List  --  $19.4 million
Increase for Minnesota Reading Corps  --  $10.0 million
Implementation of Help Me Grow  --  $2.0 million
Increase of Regional Centers of Excellence  --  $6.0 million
Increase in School Breakfast Program  --  $27.0 million
Extension of Eligibility for English Language Programs (6 to 7 years)  --  $7.9 million
Expanded Support for Success for the Future Program  --  $4.5 million
Additional Funding for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS)  --  $4.6 million
Additional Funding for Minnesota Department of Education  --  $818,000
Increased Support for Norhside Achievement Zone and Promise Neighborhood --  $4.0 million
Increase for State Board of Teaching  --  $200,000
Increase for Board of School Administrators  --  $9,000

There are obviously a number of details forthcoming, especially as to how the new early childhood program will mesh with existing programs, particularly the early childhood scholarship program.

As is the case every time a Governor's budget is released, there are a few disappointments that accompany the event.  Probably the two biggest (at least they are to me) are the exclusion of any part of the recommendations of the School Facilities Finance Working Group and the Teacher Development and Evaluation-Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System Alignment Work Group.  These two groups convened by the Minnesota Department of Education addressed two of the major inequities that exist between groups of school districts.  In the case of facilities, 25 districts in the state have access to the alternative facilities program which provides them with expanded ability to address deferred maintenance needs, while the remaining 300+ districts are limited to the deferred maintenance program and several other smaller facility-related programs.  Further, the debt service equalization program that provides taxpayers in low property wealth districts considerable tax equity when undertaking construction programs has not been updated markedly in over 20 years.

On the teacher development and evaluation/alternative compensation issue, approximately half the teachers in the state work in districts/cooperatives that do not have on-going revenue for the recently-implemented teacher development and evaluation program, which puts them at a clear disadvantage when compared to districts that are participating in the alternative compensation program.

I guess the bottom line for me in terms of my disappointment is that MDE has convened a number of very impressive task forces and working groups over the past few years, only to not see the recommendations appreciably embraced as they've moved up the line to the funding discussion.  We've seen it with the comprehensive funding working group that was convened in 2011 and now with these two working groups.

It's still early.  I always have to remember that.  Like I said in the opening paragraph, today was the first pitch.  The Legislature will now be taking its swings.  I'm sure there will be some swings-and-misses and some solid connections over the next three-plus months as the budget for the 2016-2017 biennium is constructed.  It's up to all of us who see gaps in the Governor's budget to make our case as to why those gaps should be closed.  It will likely take more in terms of resources and we simply don't know what the February budget forecast will yield in that respect.  The next few weeks leading up to that forecast will certainly be interesting and it will be a good time to make the case to legislators that more revenue is needed and that revenue needs to address some of the inequities that do exist in our E-12 funding system.

Here is the link to the education budget document (all 286 pages of it):  http://www.mn.gov/mmb-stat/documents/budget/2015-gov-rec/e37.pdf

Budget Eve Report.  The big news this week will be the release of the Governor's 2015-2016 budget tomorrow at 11 AM.  The Governor has dropped a few hints of what will be in his budget (and he did unveil a substantial transportation package today), but, for the most part, it's just a set of hints.  He will propose a $100+ million enhancement of the child care tax credit along with increases in the early childhood scholarship program and unspecified (at least in his comments) school-based early childhood programs.  The Governor has given no indication of what he will do in terms of funding teacher development and evaluation or the school facilities finance and it will be unfortunate if revenue is not directed toward these purposes.  The Minnesota Department of Education conducted task forces over the past couple of years on both of these issue areas and those task forces did marvelous work.  Further, both of these areas are examples of clear funding inequities that exist between districts.  So, for lack of a better term, here's hoping there is at least a nod toward these programs in the Governor's budget.

Bill Introductions.

Senate

SF 284 (Koenen) -- Allows Willmar school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF284&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 285 (Koenen) -- Allows BOLD school district to start school before Labor Day --https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF285&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 286 (Koenen) -- Allows Renville County West school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF286&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 287 (Koenen) -- Allows New London-Spicer school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF287&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 288 (Koenen) -- Allows Benson school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF288&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 290 (Koenen) -- Allows Buffalo Lake-Hector-Strewart to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF290&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 298 (Stumpf) -- Provides extension of temporary teacher license in instances where teacher examination requirements have not been met -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF298&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 299 (Stumpf) -- Enhances online learning opportunities -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF299&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 302 (Pratt) -- Requires 3/5 vote of both houses of the Legislature to shift state aid payment percentage below 90% -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF302&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 322 (Saxhaug -- Provides a grant for Headwaters Science Center -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF322&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 333 (Lourey) -- Provides flexibility for the expenditure of ECFE and school readiness revenue -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF333&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 334 (Johnson) -- Requires students receive comprehensive vision examination before kindergarten enrollment -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF334&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 337 (Pappas) -- Makes a technical change to conform the definition of directory information with federal law -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF337&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 341 (Rosen) -- Expands allowable use of health and safety revenue to include improvements made for student and staff security purposes -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF341&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 343 (Kent) -- Provides for physical education standards and benchmarks -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF343&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

SF 344 (Johnson) -- Increases state aid for the school breakfast program -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF344&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

House

HF 332 (Runbeck) -- Modifies childhood literacy provisions -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF0332&session=ls89&version=list&session_number=0&session_year=2015

HF 334 (Bly) -- Provides teacher development and evaluation revenue to cooperatives and education districts -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF334&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 350 (Uglem) -- Increases general education basic formula by $300 per pupil unit -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF350&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 359 (Runbeck) -- Modifies reading tax credit -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF359&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 360 (E. Murphy) -- Allows tax credit for K-12 teachers who complete a master's degree in a content area related directly to their licensure field -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF360&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 363 (Miller) -- Permits Renville County West school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF363&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 364 (Miller) -- Permits BOLD school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF364&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 365 (Miller) -- Permits Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF365&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 366 (Miller) -- Permits Benson school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF366&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 367 (Miller) -- Permits Montevideo school district to start school before Labor Day -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF367&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 369 (Gunther) -- Expands allowable use of health and safety revenue to include improvements made for student and staff security purposes -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF369&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

HF 384 (Urdahl) -- Makes year-long student teaching programs part of teacher preparation -- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF384&version=0&session=ls89&session_year=2015&session_number=0

Thanks to All.  Great SEE meeting today.  I want to thank all of the participants.  For those of you who weren't there, the first panel dealt with the alternative compensation/teacher development and evaluation issue and the report from the task force convened by the Minnesota Department of Education to meld the two programs.  Rose Hermodson (who I refer to as Queen to Task Forces), Belle Plaine principal Liann Hanson (a member of the task force), LaCrescent-Hokah superintendent Ron Wilke (whose district has been in alternative compensation--QComp--since its inception), and Prior Lake Assistant Superintendent Jeff Holmberg (whose district just got into the alternative compensation program two years ago) comprised the panel and they all provided a lot of valuable insights on the history of alternative compensation and some of the challenges faced by districts in all stages of the process of either alternative compensation or teacher development and evaluation.  It appears that the recommendations coming from the Task Force will require alternative compensation districts to incorporate the requirements of the teacher development and evaluation program into their existing plan.  While it is easier to start from scratch for those districts who haven't been participating in alternative compensation, the question for those districts will be whether or not sufficient revenue will be forthcoming for them to implement the teacher development and evaluation law without having to resort to dipping into their general funds for yet another cross-subsidy for an unfunded mandate.

Our legislative panel consisted of the House education chairs:  Representative Sondra Erickson, Chair of the House Education Innovation Policy Committee, and Representative Jenifer Loon, Chair of the House Education Finance Committee.  Both chairs did an excellent job outlining the challenges and opportunities facing their respective committees (and their caucus as a whole) as they look ahead into the 2015 session.

Our after-lunch program featured a presentation by the Austin School District's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Manufacturing) program.  Superintendent Dave Krenz, L.J. Holton Middle School Principal Jean McDermott, and the district's Director of Curriculum John Albert provided an excellent description of their top-notch program that is really doing great things for the students at the school.  The Powerpoint of their presentation will be available on the SEE website under General Meeting Handouts shortly.

It's was good to see so many members at the meeting and energized by what should be an exciting legislative session.

Dribs on Drabs on the Governor's Budget.  In a speech to a conference of child services advocates, Governor Dayton announced that he plans to dedicate over half of the approximately $1 billion forecasted budget surplus for education and other programs that help families with school age and younger children.  Details are sketchy at this point, but the Governor said he plans on expanding the child care tax credit by over $100 million, putting more money into the pre-K scholarship program, providing more financial support for school-based pre-K programs, and increasing revenue for the school breakfast program.  It is assumed (I know, I know, never assume) that the Governor's primary vehicle for increasing support of the K-12 system will be through an increase in the basic formula.  That leaves a lot of holes in the current system left unfilled, but we are still early in the game (and we haven't seen the details of the Governor's proposal).  The Governor will release his budget on Tuesday, January 27, and check back here for details.