STATE OF MINNESOTA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE NINETEENTH MEETING
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair of the Committee on Education Finance, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on February 19, 2026 in Room 120 of the Capitol.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
YOUAKIM, Cheryl, DFL Chair
KRESHA, Ron, GOP Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben GOP Vice Chair
CLARDY, Mary Frances, DFL Vice Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam
BAHNER, Kristin
BENNETT, Peggy
DIPPEL, Tom
ENGEN, Elliot
GREENE, Julie
HILL, Josiah
HUDSON, Walter
JOHNSON, Pete
LEE, Liz
KNUDSEN, Krista
LAWRENCE, Bryan
MUELLER, Patricia
PEREZ-VEGA, Maria Isa
QUAM, Duane
REHM, Lucy
REHRAUER, Kari
RYMER, Max
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
VIRNIG, Bianca
A quorum was present.
Presentations on the Impact of Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota Students and School Communities:
? Heidi Nistler, Assistant Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools
? Zena Stenvik, Superintendent, Columbia Heights School District
? Leslee Sherk, Principal, Columbia Academy, Columbia Heights
? Kevin Centeno, Full Service Community School Coordinator, Valley View Elementary School, Columbia Heights
? Dr. Bill Adams, Superintendent, Wilmar Public School District
? Sarah Lightner, Principal, Groveland Elementary, Saint Paul Public Schools
? Dr. Brenda Lewis, Superintendent, Fridley Public School District
? Dr. Carlondrea Hines, Superintendent, St. Louis Park Public Schools
? Abdihakim Ibrahim, Parent
? Lori Smith, Cook, St. Cloud Public Schools
? Joey Cienian, Executive Director, Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
? Kisten Gillespie, Board Member, Minnesota School Psychologists Association
? Christopher Griggs, Teacher, Edina High School
? Cara Hunn, Spanish Teacher, Columbia Heights
? Danika Ragnhild, Community Member
? Amy Cram Helwich, Executive Director, Urban Debate League
? Tammy Knapper, Special Education Coordinator, Wilmar Public Schools
? Carlo Franco, Treasurer, Saint Paul Public School Board
? Chris Stinson, Policy Director, SEIU Local 284
? Anna Presthus, Parent
? Dr. David Greene, Parent
? Maren Christensen Hofer, Minnesota Multicultural Autism Action Network
? Heather Starks, School Board Member, Bloomington Public Schools
? Hannah Graham, School Counselor, Roseville Area High School
? Tracy Byrd, Teacher of the Year 2024, Minneapolis Public Schools
? Christian Ledesma, Principal, Roosevelt High School
? Brian Rappe, Special Education Teacher, Burnsville
? Natasha Docktor, Teacher, Minneapolis Public Schools
? Sandy Muellner, Teacher, Saint Paul Public Schools
The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 pm.
__________________________________________ Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair
_________________________________________ Isabel Anderson, Committee Legislative Assistant