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10/19/2006 12:00 AMRondah Kinchlow, KARE 11 News The annual Education Minnesota Professional conference is underway in Saint Paul. The conference takes teachers, and students, out of the classroom for two days to discuss a long list of issues. This year being an election year, political topics were among the issues discussed. Education Minnesota has already publicly endorsed Mike Hatch to become the next governor of Minnesota. Members of the organization have even come out to protest incumbent Governor Pawlenty's educational funding plan. The Governor is pushing for a plan that would require at least 70 percent of education funding be earmarked for the classroom. Education Minnesota president Judy Schaubach disagrees with the plan, "We do not support this proposal. Let me say it loud and clear, Education Minnesota is interested in real policies that make a real difference for our students. The 70 percent proposal is a political charade that does nothing to help our students and our schools." Brian McClung is a Communications Manager for the Pawlenty for Governor Campaign, and he disagrees with Schaubach, "We think that the school districts that aren't at 70 percent can do better. When you look at our schools, the core mission of our schools is student learning and we know that the number one factor for student achievement is parental involvement. But the number two factor is the teacher and the quality of the teacher. And we think by directing more money to the classroom will lead to higher teacher salaries, this leads to a focus where our school money needs to be in the classroom." The education conference continues for two more days at the River Centre in Saint Paul. Education Minnesota is circulating a petition that opposes the Governor's 70 percent proposal, with plans to deliver the petition tomorrow. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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