Teacher Appreciation is May 7-13
I want to remind you that Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-13. As we approach this significant week, be sure to thank and recognize our dedicated EV-W staff. I?Äôm sure you?Äôre aware; the EV-W classrooms host some very talented and hardworking teachers who are nurturing the next generation of thinkers, doers, and dreamers. Our staff is responsible to teach and model the subjects and skills that are preparing our children to take on the challenges of the future. I?Äôm extremely proud of our staff and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work beside them as we pursue a brighter tomorrow.
Education Funding
It is crunch time with three weeks left in the legislative session. As I write this update on April 28 we are still waiting for the financial targets from the E-12 Education Conference Committee. The work at the Capitol during the next few weeks will determine Minnesota school districts?Äô operating budgets for the next two years. Conference committees have started meeting and the education conferees will be negotiating and merging education bills over the next two weeks. However, the REAL negotiations can?Äôt begin until Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt and Governor Mark Dayton agree to new spending targets for all areas of the state government.
From an educational standpoint, we need funding to provide three key things: (1) at least a 2 percent increase to the basic education formula to keep pace with inflation, (2) to reduce the special education cross-subsidy, and (3) to provide adequate resources to address the teacher shortage in Minnesota.
Please reach out to your area representatives and encourage them to take action on an increased spending target for education and the pupil funding formula. It won?Äôt be long before we?Äôre out of days to influence the outcome of this legislative session. Thanks for your advocacy; your voices are extremely important.
Word of the Week
Garish ?Äì bright and showy; overly decorated. ~ www.great
expectations.org
Weekly Quote
?ÄúWe shouldn?Äôt teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.?Äù ~ B.F. Skinner
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize John Unterberger, son of Christina and Jayson. John is described as a team player with a great personality and enthusiasm to learn and ask questions. He?Äôs been an active participant in EV-W wrestling, cross-country, baseball and choir. Following high school graduation, John plans to complete the necessary coursework in Massage Therapy, and then land a job in Minnesota. The EV-W administration and staff are extremely proud of John and his many accomplishments. Congratulations!