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.
Pictured left to right – Row 1: Regina Loria-Procel, Sebastian Kushins; Row 2: Jody Remsing, Anuska Narielwala, Mihi Amara, Angela Langsweirdt, Mina Bhargava; Row 3: Cheryl Barry, Abdurahman Mohamed, Maggie Salmen, Layla Scoll, Suhana Suthaharan, Nasteha Abdiaziz; Row 4: Dan Arom, Dr. Stacie Stanley, Helen Chu, Hannah Hein, Polly Bowles, Aditi Jha. Not Pictured: Alvi Buzar Barua, Michael Hart, George Rerat, Carol Syvertsen.
2024-25 LAC Members
The 2024-2025 LAC includes administration representation in collaboration with Board Member representation, plus students and members of the community:
Dan Arom
Chair, Board Member
Cheryl Barry
Board Member
Jody Remsing
Director of Student Support Services
Polly Bowles
LAC Department Specialist
Michael Hart
Community Member
Carol Syvertsen
Community Member
Mina Bhargava
12th grade EHS student
Angela Langsweirdt
12th grade EHS student
Regina Loria-Procel
12th grade EHS student
George Rerat
12th grade EHS student
Maggie Salmen
12th grade EHS student
Mihi Amara
11th grade EHS student
Alvi Buzar Barua
11th grade EHS student
Helen Chu
11th grade EHS student
Hannah Hein
11th grade EHS student
Anushka Narielwala
11th grade EHS student
Nasteha Abdiaziz
10th grade EHS student
Aditi Jha
10th grade EHS student
Abdurahman Mohamed
10th grade EHS student
Suhana Suthaharan
10th grade EHS student
Sebastian Kushins
9th grade EHS student
Layla Scoll
9th grade EHS student
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.
Meetings and Events
2025 Legislative Platform
1. STABILIZE EDUCATION FINANCING
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Increase formula allowance by 3% over current law for FY26 and FY27;
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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;
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Provide funding to cover the state-mandated costs of Minnesota Unemployment;
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Provide additional funding and time for teacher training and curriculum to ensure a successful implementation of the READ Act;
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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
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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).
News & Updates
- Edina Sun Current
- Edina Zephyrus
Contact Us
Legislative Action Committee
legislative.action@edinaschools.org
Legislator Contacts
Each legislator shared their contact information inviting questions or feedback.
Senator Ron Latz
Email Form
(651) 297-8065
Senator Alice Mann
Email Form
(651) 296-6238
Rep. Cheryl Youakim
rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov
(651) 296-9889
Rep. Julie Greene
rep.julie.greene@house.mn.gov
(651) 296-4363