Robbinsdale Area Schools

Legislative Action Coalition

Legislative Action Coalition

Summary of 2008 Legislative Session

Overview of LAC Activities

Appreciation and Recognition

Funding

Fairness

Stabilize Funding

Early Education

Infrastructure and Capital

Targeted Initiatives

Legislative Action Coalition

• $21.7 million reduction in Higher Education funding

• $48 million reduction in Environment and Energy funding

• $13.8 million reduction in Economic Development funding

• $13.4 million reduction in Public Safety funding

• $33 million reduction in State Government funding

• $168 million reduction in Health and Human Services funding

Legislative Action Coalition

• $51 per pupil in one time funding ($766,000)

• $36 per pupil ongoing funding beginning in FY 2010 ($536,000)

• $51 per pupil one-time transfer from operating capital account ($766,000)

• Post-retirement trust fund ($700,000)

Legislative Action Coalition

• Passage of legislation that simplifies and clarifies the ballot

language for operating referendum renewal elections

• No legislation passed, but bills were introduced which would have

allowed districts within 3% of zero fund balance more options

for operating levy elections

• Repeal of mandated school board election primaries

Legislative Action Coalition

• No Legislation passed, but bills were introduced related to

the implementation of school finance reform as outlined by

P.S. Minnesota and the Minnesota Promise. This legislation will

be taken up in the 2009 legislative session.

Legislative Action Coalition

• Increased aid for preschool developmental screening

• Establishes a state advisory council on early childhood

education and care

Legislative Action Coalition

• Increase in the maximum building lease levy for a school district

from $100 to $150 per pupil unit

Legislative Action Coalition

• Levy for Local Collaborative Time Study Fund Recovery Provision

• Teachers of Diverse Backgrounds Pilot Project

• Increase in GED Reimbursement

Legislative Action Coalition

• Statewide health insurance for school districts

• Omnibus education policy bill

Legislative Action Coalition

• Tri-chairs Jon Miners, Jessica Tickle and Brad Scheib

• Six Action Team Leaders

• Local Presence and Networking – Andrea Wiley

• St. Paul Presence – Kami Aho

• Washington Presence – Jessica Tickle

• Communication and Rapid Response – Jon Miners

• Education – Brad Scheib

• Outreach – Vera Snow

Legislative Action Coalition

• School Board Liaisons Tom Walsh and Patsy Green

• State Legislative Delegation

• Federal Legislative Delegation

• Andrea Wiley

• Scott Croonquist

• Very active and engaged Steering Committee

• 530 citizens on “membership” roster receiving weekly updates

• Large number of engaged citizens attended membership meetings,

visited the Capitol and

attended other events

• Hosted a student visit

to the Capitol

• Six Action Teams

• Local Presence and Networking

• St. Paul Presence

• Washington Presence

• Communication and Rapid Response

• Education

• Outreach

• The End Game

• Numerous RAS testimonies

Legislative Action Coalition