What is Orono Action?

Orono Action is a nonpartisan committee of the Orono School Board with parent and community leadership that advocates for public education, specifically for the policies and funding that further the best educational outcomes for the students of our communities.

How can I participate?

If you wish to participate, please email us at oronoaction@orono.k12.mn.us

What does Orono Action do?

Orono Action advocates on behalf of our students by:

Developing a legislative platform endorsed by the School Board that articulates our legislative priorities.

The current platform was endorsed by the School Board on January 27, 2020, and is detailed below or as a PDF.

1. Continue to increase the special education cross-subsidy aid. For Orono, the special education cross subsidy was ~$1.7 million for 2017-18.

2. Oppose diversion of taxpayer dollars from transparent, accountable public schools to non-public education through vouchers, tax credits and scholarships.

3. Refrain from enacting any new unfunded mandates and either fund or repeal existing unfunded mandates.

• Additional Provision: The Orono Action chairs, in consultation with the Orono School Board and superintendent, may advocate for additional positions supported by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts.
• Learn more about education funding in Minnesota here and/or in this presentation:
  “Making Sense of Public Education Funding.”

Communicating our priorities to the governor and local, state and federal legislators via email, phone and in person.

• Jerry Hertaus – MN House 33A
• Kelly Morrison – MN House 33B
• David Osmek – MN Senate 33
• Governor Tim Walz
• Dean Phillips – U.S. House 3
• Amy Klobuchar – U.S. Senate
• Tina Smith – U.S. Senate

Collaborating with additional stakeholders such as individuals, community leaders and other legislative action committees to further our priorities.

• Orono Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)
• Orono Middle School Parent Association (OMSPA)
• Spartan Parent Association (SPA)
• Association of Metropolitan School Districts
• Hopkins Public Schools Legislative Action Coalition
• Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition
• Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action Committee

Orono Action 2019-20 Committee Members

• Amy Alworth, Co-chair
• Emily Bremner Forbes, Co-chair
• Sarah Borchers, Orono School Board Liaison
• Martha Van de Ven, Orono School Board Liaison
• Sandie Berger
• Susi Forsans
• Pamela Henjum
• Nicole Kaufman
• Michèle Kunz
• Peter Vickery
• Barb Whitney
• Ali Howe