Mandates Causing Major Disruptions for Our Schools

Last year when the education bill was passed, I raised the major concern of what mandates would do to the school area (video right). Many mandates are because of a few failing districts, but are forced upon the great schools in our area. Mandates present significant challenges for local school districts. These mandates often come with rigid requirements that may not align with the unique needs or capabilities of individual districts, placing undue strain on resources. Compliance with such mandates can divert precious funding and attention away from core educational priorities, hampering the ability of schools to innovate and meet the needs of their students. Mandates restrict the flexibility of our educators and administrators, impeding their ability to make the decisions that best serve their students and community. They take precious classroom time from providing our students the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their dreams and succeed in life. My colleagues and I brought forward many commonsense amendments to avoid what we all knew would happen, but unfortunately, we were ignored by the majority.

Now that bill is coming due. Last year’s bill has caused many school districts around the state to make significant cuts to their staff, educational programs, and in some cases, forced school districts in to statutory operating debt. So, while Democrats said they “fully funded” education, try telling that to the teachers who are going to lose their jobs because of mandates attached to the funding school districts received. Try telling that to the kids in our district who are going to miss out on courses that will be cut due to that bill. At a time when only 50% of our Minnesota children can read at grade level, Democrats have made education worse by passing terrible new curriculum requirements and mandates that are causing schools to make significant cuts. Our kids deserve better. 

Say Goodbye to our Flag

On Saturday, Minnesota will begin using the new flag and seal designs. Like many of you, I took pride in the old design as it represented our history as an agricultural powerhouse, and paid homage to our roots. Unfortunately, the new design does neither, changing the flag to simple cold colors. The seal is noticeably missing our state motto and our founding year, 1858. For a decision of this magnitude, I believe that all Minnesotans should have a say. Unfortunately, the DFL did not agree, leaving that decision to a 13-member panel. It should have gone on the ballot for all Minnesotans to vote on, and those concerns were raised by my colleagues and me. Unfortunately, that too, was ignored by the Democrat majority.