STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
EARLY CHILDHOOD FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair of the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 2:05 pm on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
House Members Present:
Slawik (Chair)
Rosenthal (Vice-Chair)
Buesgens
Greiling
Laine
Peterson
House Members Excused:
Bly
Downey
Hamilton
Jackson
Mack
Mariani
Nornes
Ward
A quorum was not present.
Representative Tom Rukavina gave an informational presentation on H.F. 2482 (Rukavina) Independent School District No. 706, Virginia Public Schools, funding provided for an early childhood education and Head Start center, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Testifying in favor of H.F. 2482:
Charles Futterer, Superintendent, Virginia School District (I.S.D. 706)
Skip Ferris, Director, Arrowhead Head Start
Michael Krebsbach, Principal, Parkview Learning Center, Virginia School District (I.S.D. 706)
Robin Licari, Early Childhood Family Education and School Readiness Coordinator, Virginia School District (I.S.D. 706)
Those testifying in favor of the bill then answered questions from the committee: What is the total cost of the project? Is there a matching fiscal agent? How wide of a geographic area would the center serve? Would there be any savings as a result of the project? Was the district eligible and able to use ARRA funds?
Vice-Chair Rosenthal assumed the gavel at 2:44 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik gave an informational presentation on H.F. 2458 (Slawik) Early childhood learning and child protection facility funding provided for construction and rehabilitation, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Testifying in favor of H.F. 2482, as amended:
Eric Haugee, Government Affairs Specialist, Ready 4 K
Stephen Nagle, Executive Director, West Central Minnesota Community Action
Sue Harris, Director, Watonwan County Community Education (I.S.D. 840)
Judy Covert, Director, Early Childhood Coordinator, Faribault Public Schools (I.S.D. 656)
Representative Slawik was asked how the Commissioner of Human Services would be able to measure "improve the quality of early childhood programs" as would be required through the
H2458A2 amendment.
Mr. Haugee was asked if the list of shovel-ready projects was comprehensive.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR
Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant