Dear neighbor,
I’m thrilled it’s finally warming up! Inside this edition of the Peppin Report:
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Improving Student Learning
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Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center
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Brockton Freeway Exit
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2015 Legislative Survey
1) Improving Student Learning
On Thursday, the House passed legislation (House File 2) that works toward improving student learning by empowering schools and teachers. The bill gives school districts more flexibility and returns decision-making to local principals, superintendents, and school boards. Some of the highlights of this bill include:
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Increasing quality of teaching by focusing on merit in teacher retention policies.
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Prohibits placement of a student in consecutive years with an ineffective teacher, as evaluated by the statutory teacher evaluation system.
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Strengthening standards on new teacher licensure to ensure a firm foundation of academic skills.
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Increasing access to quality teachers through out-of-state teacher license recognition, encouraging regional licensure reciprocity, streamlining alternative pathways to teaching, and reinstating other licensure options.
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Empowers school districts to tap community experts to fill unmet needs to maintain or expand academic opportunities for Minnesota students.
A recent story in the Star Tribune outlined some of the arbitrary ways layoff decisions are made when seniority is used as the only factor taken into consideration. According to the story, a coin flip has been used to decide between two teachers with equal seniority in the unfortunate situation of a layoff. The quality of our kids’ education should not be dependent upon whether a coin lands on heads or tails. According to a poll done by KSTP/Survey USA, 80% of Minnesotans believe that the quality of the teacher should be considered when making retention decisions. I was disappointed this bill was not passed with bipartisan support as not a single Democrat member of the House voted for this common-sense piece of legislation. The Star Tribune recently wrote that House and Senate Democrats should join with Republicans and “strike a blow for education reform. Let’s hope they are listening.
2) Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center
On Friday, I had the opportunity to tour Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center located in the eastern part of Renville County with Rep. Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg). This facility provides assisted living services as well as short and long term care. I appreciated hearing directly about their concerns relating to costs, staff retention, and the rise in the need for care for aging adults.
3) Brockton Freeway Exit
Last week I introduced legislation (House File 1512) that provides funding to construct a full access point and auxiliary lanes on Interstate Highway 94 just east of the existing Highway 101 overpass. This among the longest stretches of freeway without an exit in the entire metro area. The funding for this project would be appropriated through the sale of trunk highway bonds. Representative Eric Lucero (R-Dayton) and Representative Dennis Smith (R-Maple Grove) are co-authors of this legislation. I believe this proposal would make significant progress toward alleviating traffic congestion in the northwest metro area.
4) 2015 Legislative Survey
Please take a moment to fill out my 2015 Legislative Survey if you have not already done so. I’m eager to get your input on issues before the legislature this session. You can take the survey by going to my House webpage and clicking the “2015 Legislative Survey” link on the right-hand side of the screen.
If you would prefer to fill out the survey by hand, please contact my office and a survey will be mailed to your home.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me as the legislative session moves forward. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155
Have a wonderful week,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A