For more information, contact:
Chris Williams
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)
Megan Boldt
651-292-4818 (work)
651-245-9163 (cell)
ST. PAUL, Minn., March 17, 2015 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement in response to Gov. Mark Dayton’s supplemental budget, which includes significant new investments in pre-K, special education and expanding the teaching workforce.
“Gov. Dayton is investing education dollars where they’re needed – diversifying and expanding the teaching corps, reducing the unfunded mandates for special education services and preparing our youngest students for kindergarten and beyond,” Specht said. “Smart priorities like these are why he’s known as the ‘education governor.’”
“We’re excited to learn more about the governor’s teacher workforce and retention program,” Specht said. “We’ve supported loan forgiveness programs for teachers in hard-to-staff areas in the past. Our local in St. Paul recently negotiated a program in which the district helps education support professionals earn teaching licenses. We believe both are good ideas and we would like to see them available statewide.”
“We know legislators will have other ideas for the surplus, including further increasing per-pupil spending, fully and fairly funding the Teacher Development and Evaluation law and providing additional services in high-needs schools,” Specht said. “We look forward to working with the governor and legislators to find the best ways to keep improving public education in Minnesota.”
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all 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