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Update for March 17-21, 2008 — From Mary Cecconi, Executive Director

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What Can I Do?

Our children cannot go back to grade school and get another education when times are better and we all have more to give. When the playground is empty and the children are gone, either we will have sacrificed for them, or we won’t.

1. This is the time when decisions are being made at the legislature (see What’s Happening below). Whether you’re brand new or experienced, reluctant or eager, sign up for the Parent Leadership Summit on April 7. Network with other parents from around the state and spend the afternoon in conversation with legislative leaders at the Capitol. We have the leaders of all of the education committees scheduled to talk with us. It is imperative that they see that education is still on the front burner for Minnesotans.
   
   I can’t make it clearer how critical this is: We need to get our local groups together and build a large and powerful network of parents from across the state who can and will speak up for public schools both in their communities and at the state legislature. Next year is a funding year and we need all of our groups to be ready to hit the ground running. We need to take this time, share our strengths and knowledge, and spend the next several months laying the foundation for change in our local communities and amongst ourselves.  Please take the time to be at this Summit for parents, by parents.
   
   
2. A forum for parents, educators and community members sponsored by parents in Roseville: No Child Left Untested? What does the NCLB law mean for my child?
   
   
3. Spring break for legislators is a good time for parents to spring into action! Click here for ideas.

In this issue

What is happening at the Capitol?

The education committees are getting their own bills in shape for the conference committee process. The House develops one and the Senate the other. The usual avenue for these bills to make it into law is that they become reconciled with one another during the conference committee process.

An interesting discussion took place in the House K-12 Finance Division Committee hearing on March 18. HF 3107 (Moe-DFL-Bemidji) was heard. This bill “eliminates referendum revenue authority for fiscal year 2010 and later and requires the governor’s budget for the next biennium to contain a recommendation for a different source of school revenue to replace the operating referendum revenue.” You can imagine the conversation!

A few comments that truly are worthy of remembering: Rep. Bud Heidgerken, former lead Republican on K-12 Finance, commented that property wealth was taken away in 2001 at the same time schools became more levy dependent. Rep. Paul Marquart, Chair of the Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax Division, made the point that the average levy amount per student is now around $764 and statewide that means levies account for almost $764 million. He observed that if the figure were $30-40 million it would be clear that school districts were using levies for local initiatives, but this figure makes it clear that local levies are paying for basic education needs.

The interesting thing is that this conversation did not take place several years ago. The conversation is no longer about why we should be funding schools but rather how can we better fund schools. This is a significant change in tenor, especially as we move toward a system of predictable, adequate and dependable funding for our schools. This reform will not happen unless we continue to push our elected leaders to understand what we believe are the priorities for Minnesota.

Also this past Wednesday, in the House K-12 Finance Committee, HF 2475 (Greiling-DFL-Roseville) was heard. This will be the basis of the House K-12 Bill. This bill, in short, appropriates 1% to the per pupil formula ($51 per student) in one-time money. This completes the House’s desire last year to AT LEAST close the “cap gap” caused by the special education cap placed on schools in 2003 AND to provide 2% on the formula. They were only able to get 1% last year, so this is their supplemental budget to fill that gap.

In the Senate on March 19, Senator Wiger presented the Senate Education Policy Bill SF 3001. He divided his presentation into three areas: Policy provisions that have no fiscal implications, those that do, and task forces called for in the bill.

In this issue

A look ahead at the week of March 24

Committee meetings and bills scheduled to be heard change frequently! Be sure to check the daily schedule of hearings and agendas.

There is an exciting week ahead. If you have ever wanted to come to a hearing, these are ones I would recommend:

• Tuesday, March 25 at 2:15 pm the House K-12 Finance Division will take up HF2475 (Greiling) in Room 10, State Office Building.
• Thursday, March 27, the Senate’s education bill, SF 3631 (Stumpf), will be heard on at 8:30 am and continue in the evening at a 6 pm hearing in Senate E-12 Budget Education Division, Capitol Room 112.

Both of these bills will be the basis of the final 2008 K-12 Omnibus bill.

These are very important hearings since this is when the bills are “marked-up.” Senators and Representatives in their respective committees will work to amend the bills. They will add or delete provisions to the existing bills. This process is fast and furious and if you are interested, this is a great time to watch the process. Come join me. It is possible that testimony may be taken on some of the provisions.

In this issue

Bills to Watch

As the session heats up there are many bills that come forward that you may have interest in watching. On our site, we have them listed in a very convenient way. Check it out!

• HF 2475 (Greiling) House K-12 Education Finance Supplemental Bill
• SF 3631 (Stumpf) Senate E-12 Budget Recommendations.

These bills contain the provisions that may be included in the final bill. More than likely there will be other provisions added through the amendment process.

In this issue

Bills scheduled to be heard

Senate E-12 Education Budget Division
Bills scheduled to be heard:
S.F. 1976 (Latz-DFL-St. Louis Park) Healthy development of children and youth within the community grant program.
S.F. 2409 (Carlson, J.-DFL-Eagan) Intermediate school districts borrowing authority in anticipation of revenue payments; school district or intermediate school district aid reduction for repayment provision.
S.F. 3708 (Olson, G.-R-Minnetrista) Teacher licensure via portfolio.
S.F. 3763 (Pogemiller-DFL-Minneapolis) School district superintendents report requirements modifications.
S.F. 2506 (Senjem-R-Rochester) School districts wind energy revenue payments restoration.
S.F. 3001 (Wiger-DFL-North St. Paul) Miscellaneous education provisions modifications.

In this issue

House K-12 Finance Division
Bills scheduled to be heard:
HF3958 (Swails-DFL-Woodbury) Teacher licensure via portfolio established.
HF4018 (Greiling-DFL-Roseville) School debt provisions modified.
HF0615 (Walker-DFL-Minneapolis) Responsible family life and sexuality education programs provided, and money appropriated.
HF4071 (Tillberry-DFL-Fridley) Safe school levy modified.
HF3107 (Moe-DFL-Bemidji) Operating referendum revenue authority repealed for fiscal years 2010 and later.
HF3108 (Benson-DFL-Minnetonka) Inflationary adjustment limitation removed.
HF2475 (Greiling-DFL-Roseville) K-12 Education Finance Supplemental Budget Bill.

In this issue

Questions? Email Mary Cecconi

Parents United for Public Schools
1667 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55108
651-999-7391
www.parentsunited.org