AMSD Day at the Minnesota Capitol

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AMSD Day at the Minnesota Capitol

The Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) hosts this annual event to ensure school district leaders from across the metro have their voices heard on education issues that matter most to our community. Superintendent Unowsky and Board Director Brakke both testified before the House Education Finance Committee on the RPS legislative platform, which includes:

Stabilize Education Funding

  • Fully fund special education and English learner programs to eliminate the shortfalls in these areas.*
  • Increase the basic funding formula and local optional revenue by 2-5% and link to inflation to provide a consistent funding stream that allows school boards and administrators to engage in long-range planning.*
  • Institute universal free meals while ensuring that both state and federal funding streams related to student poverty are not negatively impacted.**
  • Allow locally-elected school boards to renew an existing operating referendum at the same level.*
  • Make funding for voluntary prekindergarten programs permanent.*

Diversity Staff Workforce and Promote Equitable Outcomes

  • Remove barriers and provide incentives to address the shortage of substitute teachers, school bus drivers, paraprofessionals and other staff.*
  • Continue to expand programs and incentives to attract, develop and retain teachers of color.*
  • Create a state plan for K-12 computer science education that is grounded in equity and inclusion.

Reduce Mandates and Enhance Local Control

  • Fund existing mandates and oppose new unfunded mandates.**
  • Replace the high school MCA exams with a nationally recognized college entrance exam.***
  • Change open meeting law to allow for hybrid board meetings as an option.

They also joined Assistant Superintendent Daniels to visit with Senator Alice Mann (RHS class of '99) who serves on the Education Policy Committee and Representative Michael Howard (an RPS parent)

District Leaders at the Capitol
District Leaders at the Capitol
Superintendent gives testimony at the Capitol
Director Brakke gives testimony at the Capitol

 

* Aligned to both the AMSD and MASA Legislative Platforms
** Aligned to the MASA Legislative Platform
*** Aligned to the AMSD Legislative Platform

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Delivering on our promises: It's time to renew

We have two questions on the ballot in November. Question #1 renews the existing technology levy and Question #2 replaces our current operating levy. Learn more about how they support student learning and where you can vote.

Busses

If your child rides the school bus, we invite you to sign up for Ride 360. This app provides real-time mapping for your child’s school bus location and easy access to information like their bus number, bus stop location and bus stop time.

RPS Pride Booth

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Twin Cities Pride Festival this year! We had the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful individuals who share our commitment to celebrating diversity and promoting acceptance for all.

Graduation Caps

The Minnesota Department of Education released the 2022 graduation rates. We are excited to share that we have made consistent gains in many areas and that Richfield High School’s four-year graduation rate (88.9%) exceeds the statewide graduation rate of 83.6% by 5.3 percentage points. 

Solar at Richfield Public Schools

We are thrilled to share that we have made significant progress in our commitment to clean energy. Over the past decade, we've added 1.15 megawatts of solar across five of our schools, making us a shining example of rooftop solar for school districts.