April 11, 2011
Dear MCEA Members,
A CALL TO ACTION!
A legislative issue needs our collective response. Currently, legislation is moving forward that makes
changes to MN Statute Sec. 4 Subd.3C, which would allow a district with a total population of 10,000 or less (current law is 2,000 or less) to identify an employee who holds a valid MN principal or superintendent license under MN Rules, chapter 3512 to serve as director of community education.
This legislation is included in HF511, SF56 and in the House Omnibus Education Appropriations bill.
If this provision passes, 236 school districts (out of 340 statewide) would be affected by this change.
Currently, there are 49 Districts with less than 2,000 residents.
Your immediate help is needed to talk with your superintendent and ask them to contact Charlie Kyte,
Executive Director of the MN Association of School Administrators (MASA). His email address is
ckyte@mnasa.org, and his phone is 651-247-6505. Mr. Kyte needs to know successful, small district, community education programs do not support this action from MASA. If you are in a district that is currently not impacted by this legislation, I also urge you to talk with your superintendent. There is great concern that if this legislation is passed, it will be detrimental to the integrity of community education.
Communication with your Superintendent and with Mr. Kyte should include the following:
1. This change in law is unnecessary. A provision in state law already exists for a school district to
request a waiver from the Board of School Administrators if a district cannot find a qualified
candidate. Since 2008, only 10 waivers have been submitted to the MN Board of School Administrators for consideration.
2. This change in state statute is not included in the MASA legislative platform.
3. There is evidence across the state that when an untrained employee administers community
education, the ability to provide programs and services that meet the needs of the community and the
ability to leverage additional funds is reduced.
4. The ability of Districts to pass referendums is compromised when Community Education programs,
services, and funding are not used to engage community residents to the fullest benefit. Decision
Resources, Inc. of MN research has proven that districts with strong community education programs
are much more likely to have positive community support and pass referenda in their communities.
5. Community Education Directors are required by state law to monitor and maintain community
education funds and reserves (Community Services, Unreserved/Undesignated Fund/Community
Education, Reserve Fund/ECFE Reserve Fund/School Readiness, Reserve Fund/Adult Basic
Education) and are specially trained for this kind of financial oversight.
Minnesota Community
Education Association
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING6. Contact MASA Legislative Committee members in your school district with these messages. Follow
this link to the MASA Legislative Committee:
http://www.mnasa.org/2124101229145117547/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=55825
If you feel this legislation would be detrimental to your school district and the services you are able to offer your community in the future, I urge you to act today with a conversation with your Superintendent urging him/her to make contact with Mr. Kyte regarding this important issue. Please CC me (katie.williams@hopkins.org) and/or Robert Meyer (rmeyer@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us) so that we can track the communications and conversations that are circulating around this issue.
Also of note, your Senators and Representatives will address this legislation through the conference
committee process. It’s important to have your superintendent contact Mr. Kyte as soon as possible. Please consider taking action immediately.
Thank you,
Katie Williams
MCEA 2011 President
952-988-4067
MCEA Executive Office
13750 Lake Blvd.
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Telephone: 651-257-0752
FAX: 651-213-2094
www.mn-mcea.org
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