Joint Meeting: Education Policy Committee; and Education Finance Committee
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Present: Senator Mary K. Kunesh - Chair, Senator Heather Gustafson - Vice Chair, Senator Julia E. Coleman - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Jason Rarick - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Jim Abeler, Senator Liz Boldon, Senator Doron Clark, Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski, Senator Robert D. Farnsworth, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator Michael W. Holmstrom, Senator Michael E. Kreun, Senator Andrew R. Lang, Senator Eric Lucero, Senator Jeremy R. Miller, Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten, Senator Bonnie S. Westlin
Absent: Senator Zach Duckworth, Senator Alice Mann, Senator Erin K. Maye Quade, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
9:00 AM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Minutes
Present: Senator Mary K. Kunesh - Chair, Senator Heather Gustafson - Vice Chair, Senator Julia E. Coleman - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Jason Rarick - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Jim Abeler, Senator Liz Boldon, Senator Doron Clark, Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski, Senator Robert D. Farnsworth, Senator Grant Hauschild, Senator Michael W. Holmstrom, Senator Michael E. Kreun, Senator Andrew R. Lang, Senator Eric Lucero, Senator Jeremy R. Miller, Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten, Senator Bonnie S. Westlin
Absent: Senator Zach Duckworth, Senator Alice Mann, Senator Erin K. Maye Quade, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Call to Order ***Additional Items Will Be Added To The Agenda***
Chair Cwodzinski will hold the gavel.
Student Testimony Kiernan Baxter Kauf, St. Paul Central High School; MSHSL State Debate Champion, Heart of the Arts State Award Winner, Middle School Debate Coach
Will Cannon, Farmington Senior High School, MSHSL State Debate Champion.
The following individuals testified on Student Testimony: Kiernan Baxter Kauf, St. Paul Central High School; MSHSL State Debate Champion, Heart of the Arts State Award Winner, Middle School Debate Coach Will Cannon, Farmington Senior High School, MSHSL State Debate Champion
The following individuals testified on Student Testimony: Kiernan Baxter Kauf, St. Paul Central High School; MSHSL State Debate Champion, Heart of the Arts State Award Winner, Middle School Debate Coach Will Cannon, Farmington Senior High School, MSHSL State Debate Champion
Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett.
The following individuals testified on Minnesota Department of Education: Commissioner Willie Jett
The following individuals testified on Minnesota Department of Education: Commissioner Willie Jett
Former Student Testimony Sara Griffin, Eden Prairie High School
Charlie Crocker, Eden Prairie High School.
The following individuals testified on Former Student Testimony: Sara Griffin, Eden Prairie High School Charlie Crocker, Eden Prairie High School
The following individuals testified on Former Student Testimony: Sara Griffin, Eden Prairie High School Charlie Crocker, Eden Prairie High School
Secretary of State Secretary Steve Simon.
Secretary Steve Simon
Secretary Steve Simon
Minnesota Historic Societal Kent Whitworth, Director and CEO, Minnesota Historical Society
Bill Convery, Director of Research, MNHS
Kevin Maijala, Vice President, Education and Interpretation, MNHS.
The following individuals testified on Minnesota Historic Societal: Kent Whitworth, Director and CEO, Minnesota Historical Society Bill Convery, Director of Research, MNHS Kevin Maijala, Vice President, Education and Interpretation, MNHS
The following individuals testified on Minnesota Historic Societal: Kent Whitworth, Director and CEO, Minnesota Historical Society Bill Convery, Director of Research, MNHS Kevin Maijala, Vice President, Education and Interpretation, MNHS
History Day Students Jack Grauman, Student, Roosevelt High School
Divya Thamman, Student, Edina High School.
The following individuals testified on History Day Students: Jack Grauman, Student, Roosevelt High School Divya Thamman, Student, Edina High School
The following individuals testified on History Day Students: Jack Grauman, Student, Roosevelt High School Divya Thamman, Student, Edina High School
Minnesota Civics Teacher of the Year Beth Holgrimson, Andover High School
Mackenzy Johnson, Student, Andover High School.
The following individuals testified on Minnesota Civics Teacher of the Year: Beth Hogrimson, Andover High School Mackenzy Johnson, Student, Andover High School
The following individuals testified on Minnesota Civics Teacher of the Year: Beth Hogrimson, Andover High School Mackenzy Johnson, Student, Andover High School
Veterans Testimony American Legion Commander Linda Dvorak
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Former State Commander Barry Henriksen.
The following individuals testified on Veterans Testimony: Linda Dvorak, Commander, American Legion Department of Minnesota Barry Henriksen, Department Adjutant/Quartermaster, VFW
The following individuals testified on Veterans Testimony: Linda Dvorak, Commander, American Legion Department of Minnesota Barry Henriksen, Department Adjutant/Quartermaster, VFW
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
|
Senator Steve A. Cwodzinski, Chair |
Eileen Otto, Legislative Assistant |
|
Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Co Chair |