Special session needed for MnSCU, teacher retention

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ST. PAUL, Minn. June 1, 2016 –Education Minnesota supports Gov. Mark Dayton's decision to recall the Legislature, if certain conditions are met, to reinstate missed investments in education and other areas, said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota.

"The Legislature tried to jam too many decisions into the final few days of the session, and the bills show it. Some projects were omitted and some policies need more work," Specht said. "The governor is right to set conditions, then call the lawmakers back to finish what they started."

Those conditions included $1.7 million for an online reporting system for special education forms.

"The educators of students with special needs are remarkable people and it's a shame so many of them leave the profession due to the overwhelming amount of paperwork," Specht said. "This online system will streamline the process and, hopefully, keep more of them in the classroom working with students."

The governor's conditions also included additional investments in MnSCU, both for operating expenses and repairs and maintenance of the system's buildings.

"For thousands of Minnesota students, MnSCU is the vital link between high school and the workforce," Specht said. "The economic development of Minnesota must include a strong statewide network of community colleges and universities."

Specht noted three highlights of the supplemental budget bill signed by the governor:

• $25 million for voluntary early childhood education for 3,700 four-year-olds.
• $12 million to hire additional counselors and support staff.
• $10.3 million to address the teacher shortage, especially the scarcity of teachers of color.

"Educators share these goals with the governor - expanding access to high-quality, school-based, pre-kindergarten, restoring counselors and support staff and attracting and retaining great Minnesota teachers," Specht said. "There's still work to do, but we are going in the right direction."

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.