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Education Policy Committee
Thursday, April 30, 2026
8:30 AM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.

Minutes



Present: Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski - Chair, Senator Erin K. Maye Quade - Vice Chair, Senator Jim Abeler, Senator Liz Boldon, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Alice Mann

Absent: Senator Julia E. Coleman - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Zach Duckworth, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator Jeremy R. Miller, Senator Nathan Wesenberg

Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m.

Call to Order


School Trust Lands Director Aaron Vande Linde - School Trust Lands Director.

The following individuals testified on School Trust Lands Director: Aaron Vande Linde, School Trust Lands Director Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Aaron Vande Linde as Office of School Trust Lands Director, voice vote, motion passed.

Student Testimony a. Vaughn Granlund, Student, Columbia Heights High School (REMOTE).

The following individuals testified on Student Testimony: Vaughn Granlund, Student, Columbia Heights High School (REMOTE)

PELSB Executive Director Opening Remarks a. Dr. Yelena Bailey.

The following individuals testified on PELSB Executive Director Opening Remarks: Dr. Yelena Bailey, PELSB Executive Director

Professional Educator Licensing And Standards Board Amy Aho - Teacher (Related Services Category) Nathan Wood - Principal (Alternates Between Elementary and Secondary) Jennifer Trask - Teacher (Outside Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Brandee Shoemaker - Teacher (Outside Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Glazell Toledo - Teacher (Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Liana Lingofelt - Teacher (Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Dr. Gift Saloka - Teacher (Special Education).

The following individuals testified on Professional Educator Licensing And Standards Board: Amy Aho (Teacher, Related Services Category) Nathan Wood (Principal – Alternates Between Elementary and Secondary) Jennifer Trask (Teacher, Outside Seven County Metropolitan Area) Brandee Shoemaker (Teacher, Outside Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Glazell Toledo (Teacher, Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Liana Lingofelt (Teacher, Seven-County Metropolitan Area) Dr. Gift Saloka (Teacher, Special Education) Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Amy Aho to PELSB, voice vote, motion passed. Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Nathan Wood to PELSB, voice vote, motion passed. Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Jennifer Trask to PELSB, voice vote, motion passed. Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Brandee Shoemaker to PELSB, voice vote, motion passed. Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Glazell Toledo to PELSB, voice vote, motion passed. Senator Kunesh moved to recommend that the Senate Education Policy Committee confirm the appointment of Gift Saloka to PELSB, voice vote, motion passed.

Adjournment


The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m.


 
                                                                      
Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski, Chair
                                                                      
Eileen Otto, Legislative Assistant