TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FIRST SESSION

EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:31 P.M. on, Wednesday, February 19, 2020, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

YOUAKIM, Cheryl (Chair)
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary (Vice-Chair)
ERICKSON, Sondra (GOP-Lead)
BAKER, Dave
BIERMAN, Robert
CHRISTENSEN, Shelly
GRUENHAGEN, Glenn
HASSAN, Hodan
HER, Kaohly
JORDAN, Sydney
MOLLER, Kelly
SANDELL, Steve
SCOTT, Peggy
URDAHL, Dean
WAZLAWIK, Ami

Members excused:
BAHR, Cal
BENNETT, Peggy
MARIANI, Carlos

A quorum was present.


Representative Moller moved that the minutes of February 18, 2020 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF 3201 (Kunesh-Podein) Increase Teachers of Color Act strengthened, increase in percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers sought, reports required, and money appropriated.

Representative Kunesh-Podein moved HF 3201 be re-referred to the Education Finance Division.

Representative Kunesh-Podein moved the A1 Amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Kunesh-Podein presented HF 3201 and took questions on the bill.

A joint statement in support of the bill from the State Ethnic Councils and Indian Affairs Council was presented by the following testifiers:
Jasmine Carey from the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Shannon Geshick from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
Andrew Morris from the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Samantha Diaz from the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs

A group of youth spoke in support of the bill. The group was composed of the following testifiers:
Adri Arquin from the Minnesota Youth Council
Valencia Powell from the High School for Recording Arts

A group of teachers spoke in support of the bill. The group was composed of the following testifiers:
Adriana Paster Diaz from Parents In Community Action (PICA) Head Start
Anita Gates from Robbinsdale Schools
Jessica Davis from South St. Paul Secondary School

David Goble offered public testimony about the bill.

Paul Spies from Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota answered member questions on the bill.

Chair Youakim renewed Representative Kunesh-Podein’s motion that HF 3201, as amended, be re-referred to the Education Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF 3065 (Becker-Finn) Sign language and English interpreter requirements modified.

Representative Jordan moved HF 3065 be re-referred to the Education Finance Division.

Representative Becker-Finn presented HF 3065.

Dov Nathanson, a student, testified in support of the bill.

Chair Youakim renewed Representative Jordan’s motion that HF 3065 be re-referred to the Education Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


Reimagine MN Presentation

Dr. Michael Rodriguez, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota; Christine Tucci-Osorio, Superintendent from the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District; and David Law, Superintendent from the Anoka-Hennepin School District presented findings from the Reimagine Minnesota Report.

Dr. Rodriguez, Supt. Tucci-Osorio, and Supt. Law took member questions on the report.


The meeting was adjourned at 4:03 P.M.





Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair




Megan Arriola,
Committee Legislative Assistant