Sorry, Kids, We Can't Find Enough World Language Teachers...



On Monday, February 9, 2015, the leaders of South Washington County School District 833 held the second public meeting (in a series of three) - called "Budget Conversations" - on their proposed $8 million cuts to the district's budget.  Included in the cuts are Special Education and Reading Recovery services, elimination of all elementary level band, orchestra and world languages, cutting 60+ teachers which will then cause all classes to increase by (at least) one student, and other reductions to "balance" the budget. 

The following video is a question asked as to why elementary world language is being cut, but the Spanish Immersion school is not receiving any cuts.  The response by Assistant Superintendent Julie Nielsen is one that may have readers scratching their heads:

 

 

Ms. Nielsen's response was essentially that the district is struggling to find and retain quality Elementary School World Language teachers, and yet, ironically, they have been able to find enough WL teachers to fill positions in the Spanish Immersion program from Kindergarten through 12th grade.  Also, on the job search website, K12Jobspot.com, SWC 833 has a continuous ad running for Immersion Teachers.  One would have to ask if they have applicants for the immersion program, that perhaps those candidates would also be suitable to use for the other World Language positions in the district?  Or that may just be too much common sense for a district which seems determined to make cuts that hurt the people the most so that the people will give them what they really want: passage of their potentially $200+MILLION referendum next fall.  After all, that does seem to be the district's MO.

 

 

If you are a Licensed Minnesota Elementary World Language teacher looking for a job, perhaps you should contact District 833's Human Resources department and talk to them about employment with the district.  It would seem that they would welcome qualified candidates to their schools since they've had such difficulty retaining teachers.

Mark Dayton Thinks YOU are Stupid

 

 Oh Goody!  I get to VETO another one!

During my visit to the Dark Tower ....errr......I mean the State Capitol for an introductory hearing of HF208, my heart began to pound as DFL Representative Clark Johnson introduced HF230.  This egregious bill would give our governor, Mark Dayton, ultimate control of proposed amendments to the Minnesota Constitution. Together with HF103, a bill authored by DFL Representatives Kim Norton and Phyllis Kahn, our State Constitution will be significantly altered.  What could possibly go wrong?  After all, Governor Dayton loves puppies, kids, hot dogs and apple pie.

Let's take a closer look at HF208 and HF103, which seek to amend the Minnesota Constitution, Article IX, Section 1, forever changing the amendment process and opening the door to activist agendas.

HF103 will increase the votes needed in the legislature from a simple majority to a 2/3 majority to put the proposed amendment on the ballot.  Voters can ratify the amendment with a simple majority once it's on the ballot.  

HF230 is highly questionable because Representative Johnson has inserted the words, "by law" into line 1:11 of the bill.  Simple legislation could then open the door to an activist agenda, corrupting the amendment process by injecting lawmakers and the Governor into what was once a constitutional process.

HF230  also gives the Governor, and future governors, the power to veto constitutional amendments before they reach the voters for approval.  The legislature can propose an amendment with a simple majority but will require a 2/3 majority to override the Governor's veto. 

The purpose of the State Constitution is to provide a stable, overarching framework to guide laws and governance of the people of Minnesota.  Should the whims of the Governor set the bar for the process to amend the constitution?  The power and authority needs to remain in the hands of the people.  Both of these bills need to be stopped or the balance of power will shift away from you and into the hands of the Governor and future governors.

To provide testimony AGAINST HF103 and HF230, please contact Committee Administrator: Amanda Tinsley at 651-297-8134