June 26, 2017
Special Edition - Weekly Advocate
Updated 2017 MSBA Legislative Summary 
& Teacher Licensure Board Application Open
Updated Legislative Summary
We have made some updates and minor improvements to our 2017 Legislative Summary.

Noteworthy changes include:

  • clarification on ACT/SAT testing during the school day (page 17), and
  • added date for Fall Advocacy Tour (page 33).
School Board Members and Human Resource Directors Encouraged to Apply for New Board
The Minnesota Legislature passed a law during the 2017 session to replace the Minnesota Board of Teaching with the newly created Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State is currently accepting applications for the PELSB.

MSBA encourages school board members to apply before July 10 for the open “public member” board seat. MSBA's Government Relations team advocated strongly for a school board member to be part of the board's makeup. Please also share this information with your district's human resource director/manager and encourage application.

The complete list of open seats includes:

  •     One public member (which may be a current or former school board member)
  •     One superintendent
  •     One school district human resources director
  •     One administrator of a cooperative unit (oversees special education program)
  •     One principal
  •     Six teachers


Application information can be found on the Secretary of State's website. 

For general questions about this new licensing board, contact MSBA’s Denise Dittrich (ddittrich@mnmsba.org) or Bill Kautt (bkautt@mnmsba.org).
Summer Seminar

The Summer Seminar — "Leading Above the Line" — will be Monday, August 7, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. 


The Summer Seminar includes a Legislative Update from MSBA’s Grace Keliher; SIX Fast Track Sessions on everything from referenda to the Every Student Succeeds Act; and closing speaker Tom Melcher, who will discuss financial issues with school board members.


SEMINAR REGISTRATION: ACCESS REGISTRATION. Ask your school district office to register you in advance by July 31.

TUITION is $280 for advance registrants ($300 for walk-in registrants).
Minnesota School Boards Association | 507-934-2450 | www.mnmsba.org