Dear Friends,
It was another eventful week at the legislature, with the House passing what's known as House File 2 late yesterday evening.
House File 2 does some great things. It helps schools keep their most effective teachers by asking schools to include consideration of teacher effectiveness as one of the determinations in the unfortunate event of teacher layoffs.
The bill also works to address Minnesota's teacher shortage by streamlining Minnesota's alternative licensure system, and makes it easier for out-of-state teachers to come and start teaching in Minnesota.
Under current law, out-of-state teachers must jump through a number of hoops just to be able to come teach in Minnesota. Even the best teachers must go through a number of steps at a great financial cost to obtain their Minnesota license. Our bill works to improve reciprocity with other states so good teachers can come to Minnesota and start teaching in Minnesota schools.
Survey
I want to invite everyone to take my 2015 Legislative Survey. Some of you may have received a copy in the mail this week, but in case you didn't, you can take my survey online here.
Your feedback and input guides my work at the legislature, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and opinions with me. Please consider sending the link to your friends and family in our district as well. I hope to receive as much feedback as possible.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to email me any time at rep.john.petersburg@house.mn, or call 651-296-5368 to share your thoughts and input. You can also follow my page on Facebook for more updates at www.facebook.com/repjohnpetersburg.
Have a great weekend,
John Petersburg
State Representative, District 24A