Legislative Action Committee

The Edina School Board developed a non-partisan Legislative Action Committee (LAC) in Fall 2018 focused on issues impacting education in Minnesota and Edina Public Schools, specifically.

The LAC has set the following goals:

• To develop and propose legislative positions to the School Board, designed to advance Edina Public School’s mission;
• To inform and publicize approved legislative positions and proposed actions to the Board and community;
• To coordinate advocacy efforts throughout the District; and
• To advocate to state and federal legislators for positions identified by the LAC and approved by the Board.
   

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2024-25 LAC Members

The 2024-2025 LAC includes administration representation in collaboration with Board Member representation, plus students and members of the community:

The LAC Lead Team works in partnership to support legislative advocacy through legislative priority development and Board approval, presentations to legislators, participation in committee meetings, and overall communication support efforts of LAC activities and events.

2025 Legislative Platform

1. STABILIZE EDUCATION FINANCING

• Increase formula allowance by 3% over current law for FY26 and FY27;

• Increase Local Optional Revenue from $724 to $957 per pupil to recover ground lost to inflation since the program was established in 2014 and link it to the formula;

• Provide funding to cover the state-mandated costs of Minnesota Unemployment;

• Provide additional funding and time for teacher training and curriculum to ensure a successful implementation of the READ Act;

• Increase equalization of the operating referendum, local optional, and debt service levies in the omnibus tax bill to reduce taxpayer and education funding disparities; and

• No unfunded mandates.
   

2. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF

• Provide funding to hire additional support staff and develop programming resources to address mental health needs of students and staff; and
• Increase statewide capacity to provide intensive mental health services for children and youth experiencing mental health crises.
   

3. ENSURE SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, AND MODERN SCHOOL FACILITIES

• Increase Safe Schools levy and state aid to allow school districts and intermediate school districts to address and fund 21st century brick and mortar, plus cyber security needs; and
• Remove per-pupil limit and expand allowable uses of Long-Term Facilities Revenue to allow school districts and intermediary school districts to enhance safety and sustainability through security modifications, remodeling, and additions to existing buildings.
   

4. INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY TEACHER WORKFORCE

• Strengthen programs such as Grow Your Own and teacher apprenticeship programs to recruit and retain teachers of color and teachers in shortage areas;
• Maintain and expand pathways to teacher licensure; and
• Remove barriers and provide incentives to address shortage of substitute teachers, school bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and other staff.
   

5. INCREASED SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS

• Enact efforts to find solutions that address the growing shortage of special education para support throughout Minnesota districts.
   

6. DECREASE THE CROSS-SUBSIDIES IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNER PROGRAMS

• Fully fund the IDEA Act (Federal).