SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee held a remote hearing to discuss COVID-19 related legislation. After the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met over the telephone last week, today’s hearing was the second official meeting to be conducted over video conference in the history of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
“Minnesotans expect all their elected officials to step up to the challenge that Minnesota families are facing today as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” remarked Rep. Jim Davnie, Chair of the House Education Finance Committee. “Our goal with this legislation is to support schools, staff, students and families by directing a stable and predictable a path amid what will be and feel like a challenging situation. We’re looking forward, anticipating challenges, and planning for them. I’m pleased to have bipartisan involvement in our work in the Minnesota House.”
The committee discussed a proposed COVID-19 response bill for hourly school workers. A summary of the legislation is available here. Among other things, the legislation provides for compensation for hourly school employees and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices related to COVID-19 related school closures and the conversion to distance learning programs.
The bill addresses school finance formula glitches resulting from the conversion to the distance learning model. The bill also creates and legislatively approves certain waivers of state law regarding assessments, graduation and course requirements, and potential licensure issues faced by prospective and current teachers.
Becky Hespen, who works in special education support at Park Center High School and Hollie Neitzke, a food service professional with Sartell Public Schools, both shared the economic hardships they are encountering due to COVID-19 related school closures. Sarah Nichols, a Paraprofessional at Roseville Public Schools provided public testimony echoing similar sentiments. Committee members also heard from Tim Benz, President of the Minnesota Independent Forum and Kate Schmidt, President of Dakota County United Educators. Gary Amoroso, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators and Matthew Shaver, a middle school science teacher at Northeast College Prep also provided background and perspective on how COVID-19 is presenting challenges in schools across the state.
Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube Channel.
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