January
Metro West Governing Board Meeting
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Virtual Metro West Uniserv Meeting – Zoom
Those of Attendance:
Kay Carlson, President
Rose Korst, SLP, Secretary
Megan Lhotka, Treasurer
Dave Clark, Richfield
Monica Byron, Richfield
Chris Commers, ECCS
Shelli Sutherland, ECCS
Marc Doepner, Westonka
Ann Hersman, Minnetonka
Mark Broten, Minnetonka
Paula Klinger, Hopkins
Cory Knudtson, Wayzata
Anne Naumann, Wayzata
Adam Janiak, EdMN Field Staff
Beth Anderson, EdMN Field Staff
Kate Lynne Snyder, EdMN Field Staff
Kathleen Micheletti, EdMN Field Staff
Kay Carlson called the meeting to order at 5:13pm.
Presentation: Kathleen Micheletti and Kate Lynne Snyder
Post Election – The Legislature
Walz - Governor Flanagan – Lt Governor
House – Democrats still in control
Senate – Republicans still in control
November budget forecast … Surprise
$641 million surplus, expect $1.27 billion shortfall
for next biennium.
Next forecast in late February.
2021 Legislative Session
• Started Jan 5, end by May 18
• Virtual Session – how long?
• State budget must be set – otherwise state shutdown
Priority will be getting the budget resolved
What we've asked state leaders to do
• Raise taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans in order to fully fund education
Governor's budget: $745 million in state funds
• 1% /2.5% increase to funding formula + $300 million
• Freeze special education cross subsidy + &73 million
• Levy equalization + $95 million
• Extended time/enrichment = $57.5 million (federal funds)
• Student support staff + $46 million
• VPK = $40 million
• Covid enrollment loss = $25 million
• Educators of color + $16 million
• Full-service Community Schools = $10 million
• Trauma-informed professional development = $4 million
EdMN priorities: funding and policy
• Funding
• Formula
• SPED
• FSCS
• Equity Aid
• Student support services
• Attract & retain TOC
• ESPs – training & wages
• Covid – extended time, digital divide, mental health supports for students and educators
Policy:
• Licensure – tiered and pre-K
• Union freedoms- mandatory subjects of bargaining, update laws re: employee access
• ECFE/ABE parity
• Covid – waive assessments, increase educator voice
Threats:
• Return to school, “come hell or high water” (Sen.Chamber)
• Vouchers
• Constitutional amendment
• Senate Republicans
What we've asked state leaders to do:
Raise taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotas in order to fully fund a public ed system for all students, no exceptions
• Make meaningful progress toward full-funding
• Fund specific proposals around equity, COVID bounce-back
Member Engagement
• Virtual Lobby Days
• Contact legislators
• Testify
• CapConn every Monday
Questions:
Marc-Doepner – What happens if proposal doesn't pass?
It's going to be a 2 against 1 scenario. They need to find some resolution by June 30 in order to avoid a government shutdown.
Ann Hersman – like to nominate Chris Commers and Marc Doepner-Hove to testify.
White Bear Local has been very active and engaged. New member on education committee. Jacob Issacson.
1. Welcome everyone. Motion to approve November Minutes. Moved: Marc Doepner, Second: Megan Lhotka
MOTION: PASSED.
2. Treasurer's Report: Megan L.
If you've attended 5 meetings you can fill out a voucher for your stipend. Google docs, snail mail, etc...
Audit is due in February. Completed and ready to send. Thanks to the committee for your work on the audit.
Hats off to Megan for making this a painless process.
MOTION TO APPROVE AUDIT. MOVED: MEGAN L, SECONDED: CHRIS COMMERS
MOTION APPROVED.
1099 forms are on the way. Forms have been changed.
MOTION TO APPROVE METRO WEST TO PAY PAULA
KLINGER (Hopkins) TO ATTEND LAW CONF.
MOVED: ANNE NAUMANN SECONDED: MARK BROTEN
MOTION PASSED.
3. IO chair meeting January 20. Kay attended by Zoom. Over 600 people registered for the bargaining conference.
The board decided that EdMN members can attend any conferences they would like. They will take place in February and March.
Anticipating a difficult bargaining session.
Unity Campaign: Organizing, How to Proceed, Outcome
All locals have experienced more members get involved.
Encourage locals
Governor's Due North Plan
4. Monica Byron: Board of Directors Report
Haven't met since November
Human Rights Committee – 2 Awards Please encourage members to nominate for these awards.
If you have an issue, please contact Monica
5. Council Chairs: Marc Doepner
Marc has been working on Metro West negotiations See updated information. Putting together some reports:
a) health care per district b) 403B comparison
c) salary comparison (2020/2021)
Trying to add a new issue every month
Did add a folder on COVID
There is no vaccine for children under 14. Resultingly, you will need contract language. Sick banks? Hybrid ? Marc will start collecting language for sick leave, etc.
Thanks for all your efforts Marc!
6. Legislative: Government Relations Dave Clark Covered
7. EdMN MN: Adam Janiak
If and when the rules goes back to not executive order, things will change.
Over 800 registered
Unity Campaign – Field staff will be talking to you about how to engage members. 32 targeted locals(legislators). All locals are being engaged.
Any questions about vaccines? Messy roll out.
Hybrid is too hard to continue. Districts are finding it too difficult. However, some Superintendents are seeing the Hybrid as a money stream. Think about this in negotiations. Online learning . Simultaneously teaching and doing online is difficult at best.
8. Ethnic Studies Coalition. Request was made in November for people to look it over so we could take a position on this effort.
Open discussion: Dave Clark – a bill.
Adam Janiak – it is a part of a bill.
Kay Carlson – part of Governor's Due North
MOTION TO SUPPORT THE ETHNIC STUDIES COALITION INITIATIVES.
MOVED: CHRIS COMMERS SECONDED: ANNE NAUMANN MOTION PASSED.
9. Sharing of local engagement activities.
Some members have come forward to work on mental health issues for members. Online art, manipulative to focus on, nature hikes, chance to check in with each other.
10. Open Forum:
Dave Clark – Who is in the process of reopening in some manner?
Minnetonka is in talks, Westonka, Fact: Hybrid kids are starting to move back to online. Watch what the booster clubs are saying. Do you have two transitions or just one?
Hybrid first, then all in OR all in.
11. Our next meeting is February 25. Hang in everyone and thank you for all you are doing.
12.
MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOVED: CORY KNUDSON
SECONDED: MARC DOEPNER MOTION PASSED.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rose Korst
Secretary