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The Split Rocks entertainment complex became a venue for public education last week as the Chisago County GOP hosted a chance to hear from three area school superintendents. After an hour or so of commentary on current issues facing public schools moderated by local Minnesota House member Max Rymer, R-North Branch; the audience asked questions for about 30 minutes.

The main takeaways might be boiled down to: parents can find transparency in their students’ education to a much greater extent than most parents currently take advantage of — and there’s still work to do at the state level to improve school funding.

This was  part of the local GOP’s "Reclaiming Liberty” series of monthly forums,  which as of September will be offered monthly on the second Thursday.  (August is the annual fundraiser spaghetti supper so there’s no program this month.)

All the guests, North Branch’s Sara Paul, Chisago Lakes’ Brian Dietz and Steve Massey, superintendent for Forest Lake, applauded freshman lawmaker Rep. Rymer, for his willingness to put in the necessary work and trying to grasp the complex facts of school budgets. Supt. Paul especially gave Rymer a thumbs up,  developing an apprenticeship teacher effort in Minnesota, built off of North Branch as a pilot district. There is a shortage of instructors getting certified in certain fields and having a mentor, financial aid and a job waiting in a district helps. 

Supt. Paul commended Rymer for working to get the legislature to support a statewide Apprentice Program. 

Spending by and for schools in general is a mystery wrapped in an enigma and Rep. Rymer pointed out the districts should do a better job communicating with the public on this issue.  

Rymer is on the Education Finance Committee in the Minnesota House and he described the complex budget process as “crap piled on crap.”  The formulas have been revised and amended over the years to where nobody comprehends the intent anymore.  For example, the districts reliance on testing outcomes (among other measurements like graduation rates) to qualify for money 

All the superintendents agreed the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or MCAs, part of the “report card” data for schools are pretty unremarkable.  Supt. Massey said better information about where a student is at, during the school year can be gotten from other test formats,  and the results can come in a more timely manner than MCAs which take months to be scored and standings released.  Small snapshots of academic prowess done frequently would make more sense.  And, the overrated importance of some test results is not relevant in the real world. Massey said employers don’t want to hire kids who tested well, they want employees who can reason, can work with others and exhibit life skills.

Another observation is that tests must matter to the pupil, like a targeted college entrance measurement or Advanced Placement test—in order for a student to do well. 

Supt. Dietz agreed, adding districts “are good at throwing out data” but using tools that  track where a student is at in real time and reacting so they get what they need,  can be far more valuable.

Parents and guardians shouldn’t sit on the sidelines if they have an interest in the curriculum and learning materials.

Supt. Dietz noted that Chisago Lakes had 40 parent/guardian community members sign-up for the reinvigorated recently announced mentorship program in the middle school.  Their involvement will help to spread the word in general about what’s happening in the schools.

Supt. Massey also explained district library materials are listed online in the district inventory,  and curriculum should not be a secret, just use your pupil’s password for access to the electronic lesson outlines etc.

Supt. Paul also noted North Branch does “Patron Tours”  to visit a class or school, and the participation in the annual family surveys is providing feedback.  Minnesota public schools have “opt out” procedures for families who desire alternative learning materials or oppose topics,  which the superintendent said the local school boards are elected to play a role in reviewing.

North Branch leaders are holding seats on the Chamber of Commerce and city HRA and these are opportunities to get involved in local policy and be connected.

Massey told the forum attendees to try to show up for sports events, attend plays and musical performances and support students they encounter.

As for the referendum problem in Chisago Lakes, Supt. Dietz pointed out that if the legislature had awarded state aid keeping up with inflation in energy costs and other non-optional expenses, Chisago Lakes would be getting $6 million more in state funding and there would be no need for a local levy referendum.  Chisago  did not win approval in the last balloting, and will run another referendum, still being developed, he said.

Supt. Massey explained that studies show the districts would be receiving $1,500 in additional per pupil support if the state had maintained coverage.  

The public may hear of record levels of state money being dedicated to education — but the state also mandated unemployment pay for summer loss of work for certain staff, there is a paid leave act for time-off pending, expected to be costly and other mandates are not funded.  

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