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Legislative Platform

Advocating for Greater Minnesota Schools

MREA members support expanding educational opportunities and closing achievement gaps in Minnesota in the following ways. MREA’s membership includes over 235 school districts, 30 education districts, special education and service cooperatives and additional associate members.

Public Education Revenue to Support Educators and Students 

Minnesota’s Rural Public Schools need strong state financial support to offer respectful compensation necessary to attract and retain staff. Funding a system of schools is a primary constitutional duty of the State legislature and Governor. MREA is calling on state officials to improve educator compensation, making the profession more attractive, through several legislative actions.

2026 Legislative Platform

We know that schools are stronger when they come together. We’ve seen the results.

Download 2026 Platform

2026 Key Actions Needed

Sustainable & Adequate Funding to Improve Teacher Compensation

  • Defend the Basic Formula inflator and current funding for Special Education
  • Stabilize Compensatory Funding
  • Increase Local Optional Revenue

Improve Levy Fairness

  • Convert state equalization aid programs into a series of targeted property tax credits, referred to “Education Equalization Credits.”
  • Create Seasonal/Recreational Tax Base Replacement Aid

Funding Flexibility

  • Allow local American Indian Parent Advisory Committees more flexibility in programming

Safe & Secure Schools

  • Increase Safe Schools Revenues, including funding to cooperative education districts

90% of members join – and stay – because of MREA’s ability to provide information about what’s happening at the Legislature and how it affects the district.