On Thursday, Feb. 26, Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius was in Moorhead to host a listening session on early learning and other investments made in Governor Dayton’s 2015 budget proposal. Cassellius was looking for input on what is working in Minnesota public schools and what needs more support.

Jill Skarvold, executive director for learner support services for Moorhead Area Public Schools, began the listening session by introducing several of the district’s strategic priorities, including 21st century learning, mental health support, recruiting and retaining teachers and substitutes, and the need for facilities.

Governor Dayton’s budget proposes investing $109 million to ensure an estimated 31,000 students have access to free, all-day, high-quality preschool. Cassellius highlighted other investments in Governor Dayton’s proposed budget, including support for American Indian students and closing the achievement gap, Minnesota Reading Corps, free breakfast for more elementary students, a step-up program for paraprofessionals to help pay for college education, and eliminating the Head Start waiting list.

Other topics discussed during the listening session were addressing the needs of English Learners and the increase in more newcomers receiving EL services in Moorhead, Adult Basic Education and changes to GED testing, ending the Head Start waiting list, and teacher and substitute shortages.

Cassellius noted that Minnesota is continuing to deliver high quality education to most students, and it is being done relatively cheap, comparatively. “Minnesota is 24th in the nation in funding our schools,” she said.