Advocating for Greater Minnesota Schools

MREA members support expanding educational opportunities and closing achievement gaps in Minnesota in the following ways. MREA’s membership includes over 235 school districts, 30 education districts, special education and service cooperatives and additional associate members.

Public Education Revenue to Support Educator Recruitment & Retention

Minnesota’s Public Schools are struggling to attract and retain staff. Funding a system of schools is a primary duty of the legislature and Governor. MREA is calling on state officials to improve educator compensation, making the profession more attractive, through several legislative actions.

2024 Legislative Platform

We know that schools are stronger when they come together. We’ve seen the results.

Download 2024 Platform

2024 Key Actions Needed

Teacher Compensation

  • Establishing a Teacher Compensation Adjustment Revenue program initially aimed at improving starting teacher salaries to a minimum of $60,000.
  • Improving TRA by either lowering the combination of the normal retirement age and total years of service OR minimizing the reduction in retirement benefits paid before normal retirement age.
  • Amending the Grow Your Own application requirements at MDE so rural districts can qualify.
  • Reforming QComp so all schools qualify for the basic $169/pupil and ensure allowable uses include paid student teaching.
  • Providing direct underwriting to state colleges for teacher preparation programs so those credits are free to undergraduates seeking teaching degrees.

Clean Up from 2023

  • On-going financial support for UI costs
  • Clarify instances of and professional judgement by school employees for use of restraints
  • Additional funding for the Read Act
  • Establish a new proxy for Compensatory Revenue
  • Eliminate the $200 daily rate required for the short call substitute pilot program

Close Funding Gaps

  • Increase the LTFM allowance and allow roofs, pavements and HVAC projects in Health & Safety
  • Increase Basic Formula & Local Optional Revenues to address inflationary pressures
  • Restore Seasonal & Recreational Property to the RMV tax base, eliminating it from the state’s Commercial/Industrial levy.
  • Ensure minimum revenues for small schools & cooperatives for meaningful revenue generation across all public-school entities.
  • Expand VPK to all 4-year-olds qualifying for free and reduced-price meals

Policy Flexibility, Not Mandates

  • Create flexible pathways to licensure, in addition to broader licensure categories
  • Oppose unfunded mandates and “one-size-fits-all” education policy

90% of members join – and stay – because of MREA’s ability to provide information about what’s happening at the Legislature and how it affects the district.