Politics & Government

Local Legislators Receive Friend of Public Education Award

Lake Minnetonka lawmakers recognized for their commitment to education.

State Senator Gen Olson and State Representative Connie Doepke have been honored by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) with its Friend of Public Education Award.

The award is given annually to Minnesota leaders who demonstrate support and advocacy of public education and AMSD legislative platform initiatives.

Olson and Doepke were selected for their ability to work in a bipartisan and cooperative manner on important education issues, according to an announcement issued by the Orono School District. They sponsored key AMSD initiatives including mandate relief, fund transfer flexibility, simplification of the required ballot language for renewal of a capital project levy and legislation creating an alternative pathway for teacher licensure.  Sen. Olson also led the effort to create a new, innovative literacy program that will provide new funding for school districts.

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“Sen. Olson has been a strong leader as the chair of the Senate Education Committee,” said AMSD Executive Director Scott Croonquist.  “We are thankful for her thoughtful leadership and commitment to public education and AMSD initiatives.”

“Rep. Doepke,” added AMSD board chair Pam Langseth, “has been a strong advocate for metropolitan districts at the Capitol. She is a hard-working, collaborative leader who works in a bipartisan manner and always seeks AMSD input on pending legislation.”

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Governor Mark Dayton also received a Friend of Education Award. Gov. Dayton was recognized for his strong support of public education throughout the 2011 legislative session, beginning with his budget proposal that called for increased investments in education despite a projected major budget shortfall.  

The governor also proposed to expand funding for full-day kindergarten, a long-time AMSD priority, encouraged business and district partnerships, and the establishment of an innovation fund.

“The governor kept his campaign promise to invest in education every year he was governor even though the state faced a projected $6.2 billion budget shortfall when he had to submit his budget," Croonquist said. "His support for public education did not waiver during a very challenging legislative session."

AMSD represents 36 K-12 school districts, including Orono, three intermediate school districts and three integration districts that serve 47 percent of the state’s students.


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