MREA school board members, administrators and teachers gathered in virtual Fall Member Meetings over the last month to provide input on key 2021 legislative issues and to share their Rural Proud successes.
Key 2021 Legislative Issues
Cooperative Facilities
Create financial solutions to develop appropriate spaces for high-need students
Teacher Shortages
Address challenges attracting and retaining fully licensed teachers
Healthy & Safe Schools and Youth
Increase safe schools revenue for better student mental health supports
Funding Student Needs
Advocate for basic formula, special education, and early childhood funding
Funding Trends and Policy Proposals
Members also heard about the State’s general fund projected to be down $5 billion in FY22-23 and implications for policy proposals after the November general elections. MREA continues to pay close attention to a proposed constitutional amendment creating a civil right guaranteeing a high-quality education.
Rural Proud Successes
Members shared many Rural Proud successes that are benefitting our Greater Minnesota students every day. Here are just a few:
- Deer River — Anishinaabe cultural education embedded in school day
- Lancaster — Outstanding staff attitudes and approach with PBIS
- Little Falls — Personalized learning
- Maple Lake — Solar panel roof project
- Pequot Lakes — New flexible scheduling for grades 9-12
- Pine City — Teacher candidate for 2020 National Rural Teacher of the Year
- Triton — Beginning development of equity plan
- Underwood — New online payment system and new absence/sub system
- West Central Area — Hydroponic grow shed to produce food for school and food shelf
Thanks to all our members who joined the meetings to advocate for Greater Minnesota education and to share information with each other. Get more information below if you missed a meeting:
