MREA is the only advocate exclusively for Greater Minnesota school districts.

 

Under the leadership of school board members, administrators, teachers and community members, MREA focuses on what puts first the education, growth and development of learners to bring about our best possible future.

School districts across Greater Minnesota are seeing the benefits of the MREA-led Ag2School agriculture credit for school facility bonds, currently at 55% and scheduled to increase to 70% by 2023.

Further, MREA joined many public education lobbying and parent advocacy groups to make a major push for buying down the special education cross-subsidy.
Our collective work was effective, leading the Education Conference Committee to
consider implementing a formula to pay each district for 40% of their local special education cross-subsidies.

Advocacy Accomplishments

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

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In 2022

During a non-budget session, with a record state budget surplus
available, MREA helped position and prioritize rural education for:

  • Paying off the Special Education cross-subsidy
  • Enhancing equalization for Local Optional Revenue
  • Increasing funding for student mental health needs
  • Improving the Ag2School Bond Credit
  • Cooperative Facilities levy authority
  • Additional funding for Concurrent Enrollment Teacher Credentialing
  • Flexibility for short-call substitute teachers
  • A fairer pension for teachers, retirees, and schools
  • Continued funding for Voluntary Pre-K slots
  • Continuing to defend against ever-present Unfunded Mandates

Leading Advocacy

In 2021

MREA helped position and prioritize rural education for the June budget-setting Legislative Special Session including advocating for:

  • 2&2% increases on the general education formula
  • Pandemic Enrollment Aid
  • Compensatory Aid Hold Harmless
  • Oppose unfunded mandates
  • ESSER funds more evenly distributed to rural school districts
  • Continued Special Education cross-subsidy support
  • Continued funding for voluntary Pre-K slots
  • Financial tools to address cooperative facility needs for specialized services for high-need students
  • Additional funding for concurrent enrollment credentialing
  • Increased funding for Rural Career and Technical Education Consortia
  • Enhanced debt service equalization for newly consolidating districts
  • Allowing school boards to renew existing operating referendums