Elizabeth Hanke for Mankato School Board

  • Compensatory Revenue Modification – Key Takeaways (FY 2026–27) Minnesota Budget

    Starts on Page 17 What’s proposed:Extend the *“hold-harmless” provision for compensatory revenue for one additional year (FY 2026). $39.8M in FY 2026 $4.4M in FY 2027 Total: ~$44.3M (General Fund) Plus $94,000 (one-time) to create a compensatory revenue working group. Free School Meals eliminated incentives for families to submit income forms. Is new Has reporting…

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  • Fraud Detection and Prevention – FY 2026-27 Budget Recommendation for MN Department of Education

    📄 Page 12 of FY 2026-27 Budget Recommendation for MN Department of Education Fraud Detection & Prevention – Key Takeaways (FY 2026–27) What’s being proposed:The Governor recommends $550,000 per year to strengthen fraud prevention at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). 1 legal counsel for nutrition programs 1 legal counsel for charter school oversight 1…

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  • If Your Child Is Being Bullied: A Practical Guide for Minnesota Parents

    When a child is bullied, families deserve clarity; not confusion. This guide outlines how bullying is defined in Minnesota, how schools are required to respond, and the steps parents can take to protect their children and advocate effectively when concerns are not addressed.

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  • Text Poll Results: Student Safety, Staff Pay and Supporting the Arts

    This text poll was conducted on January 1 via a text-based campaign. Response rates were lower than expected. I later learned via email that the message came from an 833 phone number, which some carriers flagged as spam. The service I use has limitations on available area codes. This outreach is part of a learning…

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  • Public Institutions Owe the Public More Than Talking Points

    Public universities and K–12 education exist to serve students, communities, and taxpayers—not to manage perceptions. Yet when difficult questions arise, answers are increasingly filtered through communications offices instead of offered directly by those responsible for the decisions. When transparency disappears, trust quickly follows.

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