Legislative Action Coalition

Events in the District and at the Capitol

Members of the Hopkins LAC visit the State Capitol throughout the legislative session, speaking with legislators, offering testimony during education hearings, and cultivating sincere working relationships. The LAC hosts an annual legislative breakfast in the District, at which the priorities of the Hopkins Public Schools are presented. During the session, the LAC members also partner with neighboring school districts to advocate for specific education bills and engage with like-minded individuals on behalf of all Minnesota students. Attending any of these events offers a great first-time opportunity for new members to get a taste of in-person advocacy and to show their support for public education.

Check out our list of resources to stay up-to-date on education advocacy and the status of specific pieces of legislation.

Official School District Policy School Board Legislative Program

The Board, as an agent of the state, must operate within the bounds of state and federal laws affecting public education. If the Board is to meet its responsibilities to the residents and students of the community, it must work vigorously for the passage of new laws designed to advance the cause of good schools and for the repeal or modification of existing laws that impede this cause. To this end:

1. The Board will keep itself informed of pending legislation and actively communicate its concerns and make its positions known to elected representatives at both the state and national level.
2. The Board will work with its legislative representatives (both state and federal), with the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the West Suburban Consortium, and other concerned groups in developing an annual as well as a long–range legislative program. One of the major objectives of the Board's legislative program will be to seek full funding for all state and federally mandated programs.
3. The Board will annually designate a Legislative Action Coalition to act as legislative representative. This committee will work with the superintendent and Board in developing district positions and actions on legislation being considered by the Minnesota legislature.

Adopted: February 28, 1985

Legislative Leadership for the House and Senate Education Committees

Legislators Representing Hopkins Public Schools

[Updated August 23, 2023]
BYLAWS of Hopkins Public Schools Legislative Action Coalition

ARTICLE I: LEGISLATIVE ACTION COALITION

The name of this organization shall be the Hopkins Public Schools Legislative Action Coalition (LAC). The LAC oversees the various levels of advocacy efforts throughout the Hopkins School District (District). These bylaws pertain to this LAC body.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the LAC is to assist the Hopkins School Board (Board) in advocacy for education–related legislation. The LAC coordinates these advocacy efforts throughout the District by developing, proposing, and advocating for legislative positions designed to advance the cause of excellent schools in Hopkins and Minnesota. The LAC exists by Board policy and its activities are subject to Board approval.

To fulfill this purpose, the LAC’s activities may include, but will not be limited to, the following: soliciting information on legislative activity that might affect the District; developing positions and priorities, including an annual state legislative platform; proposing positions and priorities to the Board for approval; developing a work plan for advocacy of the approved positions; communicating to the Board on a regular basis as to the progress of the LAC’s work; and advocating at the local, state, and federal level those positions identified by the LAC and approved by the Board.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP and CONDUCT

All LAC members shall abide by the LAC Policy on Membership and Conduct

A. The LAC welcomes members of all backgrounds and identities. This includes but is not limited to members of any sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, social and economic class, educational level, color, immigration status, sex, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.

B. Attempts will be made to have committee membership reflect the demographic profile of the Hopkins Public Schools District (District). All members will either live in the District or have family members currently or formerly enrolled in Hopkins Public Schools.

B. The LAC will strive to solicit members from the early childhood programs, special education programs, elementary, junior high and high school as well as the community at large. It is also important that the LAC have representatives from each of the state legislative districts that cover the District.

D. The LAC will include at least one, and up to three Hopkins School Board members appointed by the School Board.

D. LAC members must have a commitment to the Hopkins Public Schools’ mission and the legislative positions adopted by the LAC and the Hopkins School Board.

E. LAC members must be interested in the legislative process, grassroots advocacy, have good communication skills, be willing to compromise and work well with other members.

G. The LAC shall be noncommercial and nonpartisan. To maintain the non-partisan integrity of the LAC, any member who has filed or is a declared candidate for partisan office, or becomes a partisan office holder, or works as paid staff for a partisan campaign or partisan office holder must resign from the LAC.

H. As a representative of the Hopkins Public Schools and the Hopkins School Board, the LAC and its members must maintain a high level of professional conduct, including confidentiality, objectivity, respectful dialogue, and professional behavior.

I. The LAC Co/Chairs retain the authority to deny or dismiss LAC membership to those persons who are in violation of the LAC Policy on Membership and Conduct, the School Board policies, and the policy and mission of the District.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICES AND DUTIES

A. Chairperson: (singular, or co-chairs)

1. Preside over meetings, carry out meeting agendas, assign legislative buddies, present LAC reports to the Board, communicate on behalf of the LAC for activities such as presentations to elected officials, legislative bodies, or the media, and generally oversee the activities of the LAC in representing the District and Board in advocacy efforts.

2. One Chairperson will be a designated School Board member to the LAC. The other Co–Chair will be a citizen. The School Board member designee serves at the discretion of the School Board.

B. Legislative Liaison:

Responsible for coordinating, scheduling and preparing materials for all meetings, events and presentations to the Board, District leadership, legislators and the community. Maintain all communications on behalf of the LAC including written and social media; create and maintain working relationships with District leadership, legislators and their assistants, and other advocacy groups.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS and EXPECTATIONS

The LAC strives to meet every week throughout the school year. Special meetings may be called as necessary, to deal with urgent advocacy issues. LAC members are expected to attend weekly meetings and the following:

1. The School Board meeting presenting the LAC platform recommendation to the Board.

2. The annual Legislative Breakfast where the platform is presented to state legislators representing the District.

3. Other functions such as legislative candidate forums or advocacy events sponsored by the LAC.

B. Attempts shall be made to reach consensus in establishing advocacy positions. For procedural issues and where consensus cannot be reached, simple majority will prevail.

C. LAC members will prepare for each meeting by reviewing the meeting minutes or agenda materials prior to each meeting, and they will keep abreast of local, state, and federal public education issues.

D. LAC members will be expected to attend LAC meetings, meetings with District legislators and meetings at the Capitol, and other advocacy events sponsored by the LAC. Members should be prepared to attend at least one Education Committee hearing in either legislative body or legislative floor debate on a public education bill. In certain instances, an LAC member may be called upon to testify on behalf of the Hopkins Public Schools at legislative committee hearings.

E. Once the LAC has established its positions and priorities for the year (in December) each LAC member will agree to have his/her name included, as a member of the LAC, in any communications pertaining to those positions and priorities that are sent out on behalf of the LAC including letters–to–the–editor and letters to legislators or other elected officials. Any such communications shall be approved by the LAC.

F. Each LAC member must uphold and support the views established by the LAC and approved by the School Board when communicating as a member of the LAC.

G. Members are asked to contact the Legislative Liaison or Co–Chairs if unable to attend a meeting or event.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the LAC by a majority vote of all members present.