Dear Friends,
This week I introduced a bill requesting bonding funds for the restoration of the Champlin Mill Pond as a fishery. Thanks to our efforts last session, the dam on Champlin Mill Pond is finally being replaced, which has helped pave the way for the pond to be restored as a fishery so residents of Champlin, Coon Rapids, and the surrounding areas can enjoy outdoor recreational activities such as fishing at the pond.
The City of Champlin has stepped up and indicated they would work to provide matching funds and secure additional state grants to help fund portions of the restoration project.
I will keep you updated on the progress of this bill as session continues, and hope to see it passed as part of a bonding bill at some point over the next two years.
House File 2
Yesterday the House passed what's known as House File 2 (HF2), one of our top education bills this session. This bill gives school districts the flexibility to retain their most effective teachers, and requires that school districts consider teacher effectiveness, rather than seniority under current law, when making layoffs.
We hope it's never the case that schools are forced to make layoffs, but in those unfortunate instances we want students to get the best education possible from the most effective teachers.
Schools will still have the option of including seniority as one of the criteria they can also consider in layoff decisions, so seniority is not thrown out altogether.
HF2 also helps address Minnesota's teacher shortage by streamlining the process for alternative teacher licenses and out-of-state teachers who come to Minnesota. There are many districts who have openings they can't fill due to the shortage, and this bill helps give schools more options to fill those openings so every child can receive a well-rounded education and doesn't lose out simply because a district can't find a licensed teacher.
Survey
Some of you may have received a copy of my 2015 legislative survey in the mail. If you didn't, I invite you to take my survey by clicking here.
I hope you will consider sending the link to your friends, neighbors, and family members who live in District 36A. The more feedback I get, the better I can represent our community. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your opinions with me.
Have a great weekend,
Mark Uglem
State Representative, District 36A