August 6, 2009
Stillwater Area Schools is Newest AMSD Member
I am pleased to report that ISD 834 -Stillwater Area Public Schools is the newest member of AMSD!
Grivna Named to Governor Pawlenty’s Staff
Former AMSD Chair and Mounds View School Board Member Lori Grivna has been appointed to serve as a senior policy advisor to Governor Tim Pawlenty. Lori will be responsible for covering several issue areas including education, higher education, early childhood, state government, the Department of Administration and the Office of Enterprise Technology.
House Integration Revenue Task Force Hearing
The House Integration Revenue Task Force has scheduled a hearing for next Thursday, August 13 at 1:00 p.m. in room 10 of the State Office Building. The task force plans to meet several more times this summer and fall to listen to proposals and ideas related to modifying the integration revenue program. Dr. Myron Orfield from the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota will be offering a presentation at the hearing next week. If you are interested in testifying at a future hearing please let me know and I will be happy to work with legislative staff to coordinate schedules.
The following House Members are serving on the task force: Rep. Jerry Newton, Rep. Robin Brown, Rep. Mindy Greiling, Rep. Carlos Mariani, Rep. Jim Davnie, Rep. Linda Slocum, Rep. Tom Tillberry, Rep. Pat Garofalo, Rep. Connie Doepke and Rep. Randy Demmer.
New Laws Effective August 1, 2009
Below is a link to a document listing the new laws passed during the 2009 legislative session that became effective August 1.
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/0809nlrelease.pdf
Unallotment Issues
There continues to be a strong disagreement between the governor and legislative leaders over the governor’s unallotment authority. I am attaching a letter Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller sent to Commissioner Seagren expressing his concerns for your information.
Star Tribune Editorial
Below is a link to an editorial from the Star Tribune related to education funding and the federal stimulus dollars: