Parents United for Public Schools Race to the Finish April 16, 2012

Parents United for Public Schools Race to the Finish

April 16, 2012

Overarching 2012 issues

• Redistricting expected decision February 21• A surplus that isn’t a surplus• Reform 2.0• Citizens United/Super PACS– ALEC American Legislative Exchange Council

Redistricting

• Caused upheaval• Retirements• Open seats• Incumbent primaries

Surplus that isn’t a surplusSchool shift payback debate

HF2083/SF2492 • Payback by using state reserves– What is being said

• DFL attempts to amend by using FOC– What is being said

In either case it is NOT NEW MONEY FOR SCHOOLS

Constitutional Amendments (Electoral Red Meat)

• Gay Marriage amendment (on ballot)• Potential tax amendments• Voter ID

Legislature needs to deal with:

GRAD Graduate Required Assessments for

Diploma

Not touched

Potential Issues

• Funding– Levy elections in even years– Levy following student – Autonomy for school boards (levy renewal

elections, timing of elections)

Also look for

• Mayoral takeover of schools

• Teacher evaluations/ teacher layoffs based on performance

• ESEA (NCLB) waiver

• Prone restraint

• Vouchers or voucher lite

• Integration aid and policy

• Bullying

• School calendar

• On-Line learning

• X• X

• X• X• X• X• X• X• X• X

What I missed

• Parent trigger (ALEC)• School land trust advisory group• Academic standards and review requiring

legislative oversight• CPR training• PSEO expansion• Teacher basic skills exam timing

Remember

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS