[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6631895,"mediaKeyId","2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d","parentId",2676255,"title","Committee hears bill to create clear statute for education innovation programs; sponsors stress local control","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",2125000,"endMs",2589000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d&start=2125&end=2589","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d/thumbnail_2125000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631895/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-create-clear-statute-for-education-innovation-programs-sponsors-stress-local-control","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631895-6c243bf3232f922ef45ce8ad818021c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773746870&Signature=HBOd004UdsBuQ~9FGqwI48Aaz76P-9cdXUK014cXa3un~JXNe8KbHxaYfMuSCZd-UHTps7OV6UjQXkzQ-o7kk3YE-vlj95QvG2mpnPUc0i8pPHfE3cWvkZO6iMAlAXCCCgqaY1CbJ-W3PzrCsi2i~eI~2Qv9wraF-YnJTJu4WS-eCl4PWtslbJj4fGAkUtdXh--t~SsLoSDm6IYOk3d5CpQZb3M6hC35pXgV4iEwGnGY9IDL8nfT8UaULrMOGMLs3z6opeZ9fEaLSDeKVE~TI3LrybwDrueCtMsljbsxmeFDSM0~w9OkCC5mtcShPJKEvxXW-c52EVzE6Ma7b9CbDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-18T23:42:21.277Z","article","The House Education Finance Committee laid over House File 1435 on March 18, 2025, after testimony that the bill would create a clear statutory chapter for education innovation programs and make existing innovation options more accessible to local districts.

Representative Ben Baeckburg introduced the bill and said its twin goals are to (1) create a distinct chapter of law for innovation programs so districts can find and use existing flexibilities, and (2) place planning and decision‑making authority with local educators, school boards and parents rather than centralized approval.

Dr. Akela Roberson of Education Evolving testified in support and said innovation zones have helped districts partner with businesses and community organizations to expand student learning opportunities. ‘‘Innovation zones contribute to the development of educational experiences that are more enriching for our students,’’ Roberson said.

Caitlin Snyder, representing Education Minnesota, testified extemporaneously and said she had “no major concerns” with the bill but recommended a technical amendment to clarify that staff cannot be required to work on a Saturday or outside the typical workday to comply with an innovation program without appropriate bargaining or agreement.

Members asked questions about grant language and Department of Education oversight in existing law. Representative Raybauer asked about language referencing a grant process and whether the bill’s removal of a limit on commissioner approvals for innovation zones would affect MDE oversight. Representative Baeckburg said the bill does not include a new appropriation and that if an appropriation became available, the committee would have further conversations; he said the bill’s purpose is to educate districts about options they already have and to empower local adoption.

Several members expressed support for local flexibility but raised concerns about equity, access, and measurement of student outcomes. Representative Morgan Green asked how effectiveness would be measured; Baeckburg said local districts would set measures and collect pre/post data and he described examples—such as reworking parent‑teacher conference schedules and flexible learning days—that district leaders have used to increase engagement.

The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or for further consideration.

What was discussed: creation of a clear statutory chapter for innovation, local control versus state oversight, potential grant language, technical amendments to protect staff work hours and access concerns for students across districts.

Next steps: House File 1435 was laid over for additional drafting and potential omnibus inclusion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education Finance Committee 3/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","House File 1435 would create a new chapter clarifying innovation programs and innovation zones, emphasize local planning and make those options explicit for districts; the bill was laid over after testimony from Education Evolving and union representatives raised a technical amendment request.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631900,"Committee hears bill to broaden instructional hours for secondary schools; students, advocates testify",1337,848000,2185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d&start=848&end=2185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d/thumbnail_848000.jpg","/articles/6631900/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-broaden-instructional-hours-for-secondary-schools-students-advocates-testify","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631900-43ddba31d1c45cafae17b0c147481088/orig.mp4?Expires=1773746870&Signature=Wj5XzuGsHnfclksIiAeHvhOasuyPpSvUI0WIiqmg0dCurDc4RmFYuS1tRr5nCZL-2LXNeUHp3RjQWGjOlv5QTEVBUvwvOWX~ECrj18JeoG9k5~C0s~6ZygdA5wKUH~6mIec19BzR~O4H4sEXpNbhxCk9XQMhlMtT2fEW-9OaZojvI67GSOhqeGdCBzAIp90LXd1xA5bqnU7RAFRWMPPPsWFEkgtIBrct-Wd3m2wU3YdceDwc4UppVaoSSKI4J~TuvEcouR8kD3tzKwi2ckONVjDlR2JWW9JXEmYKYVm04e82xbdJ-drVzNpmAHji3Q9MRKVYNIb6S0xtFfFHeGZ6JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Finance Committee laid over House File 1607 on March 18, 2025, after testimony that the bill would give districts flexibility to count supervised, competency‑based experiences such as internships, apprenticeships and project‑based learning toward secondary instructional hours.

Representative Jennifer Clardy, the bill’s sponsor, said the proposal ‘‘empowers districts to innovate’’ by giving clarity and optional flexibility in how hours of instruction are defined for secondary schools. Clardy emphasized the change would not be a statewide mandate but an option for districts that want to adopt different credit‑earning experiences.

Education Evolving policy director Dr. Akela Roberson testified in support and described the bill as a system‑wide opportunity to formalize flexibility first explored by innovation zones. ‘‘HF 1607 addresses this need system wide,’’ Roberson said, adding that many students learn in settings outside the traditional classroom and that pairing flexibility with oversight can help districts recognize those experiences.

Students and young adults testified about their experiences with learning outside the usual school day. Cheryl Edwards, a student at Exploration High School in North Minneapolis, described fellowship and travel experiences that occurred outside regular school hours but earned credit: ‘‘These unique learning experiences reignited my passion for learning,’’ she said, and she urged lawmakers to expand options for students who benefit from nontraditional learning.

Keith Blassingame, a senior at Volunteers of America High School, and Julian Spencer, a 21‑year‑old graduate who runs the Good Trouble initiative, both told the committee that allowing credit for internships, apprenticeships and supervised project learning could help disengaged students stay in school and acquire practical skills.

Members asked about measures of effectiveness and protections for student access. Representative Morgan Green asked how districts would measure outcomes; Representative Baeckburg (the bill sponsor in the later bill) and others described locally determined pre/post measures such as attendance and academic performance, and said the bill intends to encourage districts to track outcomes while allowing local flexibility.

Committee members also raised concerns about equitable access, special education protections and the potential for added workload on educators. Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota suggested a technical amendment to clarify that staff cannot be required to work Saturdays or outside the typical workday without agreement.

Representative Clardy said she is working with the Minnesota Department of Education to refine statutory language and insisted the bill preserves student protections; she renewed her motion to lay the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion, and the chair laid it over for further consideration.

The hearing record shows bipartisan support among members present; the committee took no roll‑call vote at this hearing and recorded the layover by voice.

What was discussed: expansion of definitional flexibility to allow ‘‘anytime, anywhere’’ supervised learning for credit, student testimonials on reengagement, concerns about measurement and equity, and suggested technical language to protect teachers’ contract hours.

Next steps: House File 1607 was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or future consideration.","House File 1607, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Clardy, would define hours of instruction for secondary schools to allow internships, apprenticeships and project‑based learning to count as instructional time; the committee laid the bill over after testimony from students, educators and nonprofit advocates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631905,"House education committee lays over bill removing $200 minimum for short‑call substitutes",850,69000,919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d&start=69&end=919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676255-55e1b95974499fe84b75eaf0984d3c7d/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6631905/Minnesota/House-education-committee-lays-over-bill-removing-200-minimum-for-shortcall-substitutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631905-6d85932df3a670cd257210e373a3578a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773746871&Signature=Lqo8QYTJWohNplUQqnr3O00xnFQNH5JCQUcirqtrNq3jh889A8ySzAbH0yg2gudyEluyRH1b5SkSU1l60r9PqSDHnGFskAxXkjALCAD8rnB70cZKiVvO5Rel3LDyR7IjiMHGQ5Xfb2Q1UyO1jwiBZIzL6s2Xja5ZU3-D48ObK4prrx04iNqc0SNHyJViLUchv2fqYTQfsxZZv2jd4V3n0p4gQiKGRMZHH9-Em5bSb-TJytRJ6NzTCUHzxOqnWz5G2NgmP6rIR~mlVxeAxR9Urls~ehFaAPyA3-jXuKhmDh6lr6SghwSShFJ8dliB10mr39uIMZkpvKOAvwfVaJqVtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Finance Committee on March 18, 2025, laid over House File 630 after hearing testimony from district leaders who said the current $200‑per‑day minimum for short‑call substitute pay has prevented many rural districts from participating.

The bill, presented by Representative Erin Mueller, would extend and revise the short‑call substitute teacher pilot program by removing the $200 minimum pay requirement and making the program permanent rather than a pilot. That change would allow short‑call substitutes to be paid at a district’s regular substitute rate or at 90% of the daily rate for licensed teachers, whichever is greater, according to the bill language discussed in committee.

The bill drew support from rural superintendents who said their districts pay substantially less than $200 per day and therefore could not join the pilot. Lee Westrom, superintendent of Wadena‑Deer Creek Schools, told the committee, “We currently pay all of our substitute teachers $150 per day, and if this bill passes in its current form, we would definitely participate.” Westrom said his district—and others in his area—did not participate in the original pilot because of the $200 threshold and that pay in his region ranges from about $140 to $170 per day.

Kristen Demmer, assistant superintendent for business and administration at Moorhead Area Public Schools, described a persistent shortage of substitutes in her district and the region. She said Moorhead’s substitute fill rate for the 2024–25 school year averaged about 60–65 percent, with a low day in March that left roughly 30 classrooms without a substitute. “When we don’t fill classrooms,” Demmer said, “students don’t receive services or supports. We have to split classes among other classes.”

Patrick Walsh, superintendent for Belgrade‑Brimson‑Elrosa, also spoke in support and asked the committee to “support the bill as written,” citing similar rural staffing challenges.

Representative Mueller, the bill’s sponsor, said the change reflects work with the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota School Boards Association and local districts. Mueller noted the pilot showed positive results where districts could participate and said the bill is meant to expand participation, particularly in rural areas.

After testimony and brief member remarks, the committee chair laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill or for later consideration.

Votes at the hearing were taken by voice; the committee recorded no roll‑call tally on the floor during this session. The chair’s motion to lay House File 630 over for possible omnibus inclusion was accepted by voice vote and the bill remains under consideration.

What was discussed: supporters emphasized district substitute pay levels and fill rates, the administrative changes in the bill, and the pilot’s results. Opponents or concerns were not recorded in the hearing record provided. No statutory citations or additional funding were specified during testimony.

Next steps: The committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion or future consideration.","Minnesota House Education Finance Committee heard testimony from rural superintendents and school officials on House File 630, which would remove a $200‑per‑day minimum pay requirement and make permanent an expanded short‑call substitute program; the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to create clear statute for education innovation programs; sponsors stress local control

Committee hears bill to broaden instructional hours for secondary schools; students, advocates testify

House education committee lays over bill removing $200 minimum for short‑call substitutes