Coleman leads informational hearing to review state policy effects on teacher shortages

ST. PAUL, Minn – Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) today led an informational hearing in the Education Policy Committee to review state requirements affecting Minnesota’s teacher supply. The committee heard from several school officials advocating for increased flexibility in the implementation of state policies.

 

“Our schools are making their needs clear to us,” Coleman said. “Providing our schools with an opportunity to share the implementation challenges–and successes– associated with the exhaustive list of policies passed onto them over the last two years is an important step in informing legislators as we begin to shape laws aimed at easing the financial and employment concerns they’re facing.” 

 

Advocates shared testimony about state requirements contributing to teacher shortages throughout Minnesota. Among the many concerns shared, teacher pipeline concerns were among the most commonly cited. “According to the Department of Employment and Economic Development, we are projected to have over 30,000 teacher vacancies within the next 10 years,” Angela Charboneau-Folch, Principal, Integrated Arts Academy, Eastern Carver County Schools testified in committee.

Additionally, the new tiered teacher licensure issue was addressed with testifiers advocating for more local control. “The new system put in place this year simply does not make sense … The decision of whether to non-renew or not could be left to the individual school district,” Sharon Johnson, Community Education Director, Worthington Public Schools testified in committee.  

 

School officials who offered testimony include: 

  • Angela Charboneau-Folch, Principal, Integrated Arts Academy, Eastern Carver County Schools 
  • Ryan W. Ihrke, Principal, St. Charles Elementary, St. Charles Public Schools 
  • Anjie Flowers, General Counsel & Executive Director HR, Minnetonka Public Schools 
  • Val Rae Boe, Superintendent, Northeast Metro Intermediate 916 -Nicole Woodward, Executive Director, St. Croix River Education District 
  • Mandy Fletcher, Superintendent, Blue Earth Area Schools (Remote) 
  • Molly Schilling, Superintendent, Adrian Public School District (Remote) 
  • Matt Shaver, Policy Director, EdAllies

 

The full hearing can be viewed online.