A few weeks ago, during Commissioner Cassellius’ monthly conference call, Kristen Ehresmann, director, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control, Minnesota Department of Health; informed you that the Minnesota Department of Health is beginning the rulemaking process to update the School Immunization Law. She also told you that she would let you know when they publish the Request for Comments (RFC), which starts the formal rulemaking process. The RFC was published in the Monday, April 30, 2012, Minnesota State Register, and will be accepting comments until June 30^th at 4:30 p.m. See the Request for Comments. MDH will publish specific modifications to the school immunization law after the public and an advisory group have had time to comment.

See the chart that compares the current Minnesota School Immunization Law to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization recommendations. This chart does not contain the proposed Immunization Rule changes. It is only provided as an informational resource. Note that MDH is sending out this information to many of their partners, including school nurses. Thank you for your help in ensuring that Minnesota’s children remain healthy.

See the rulemaking information on the Minnesota Department of Health website. For assistance with questions, contact Patti Segal Freeman, Minnesota Department of Health, at (651) 201-5520.

See the attached memorandum from Matthew Porett, chief information office, regarding the above-mentioned matter. Through the District and School Site Verification online data submission process, your district’s Site Verification Coordinator must notify the Minnesota Department of Education of new or closed sites, and to review and update school and district contact information. Notify MDE by June 1, 2012 if your district intends to open or close sites for the upcoming school year. To ensure that data collections, payments, and reports are correct, district and school site information must be certified by August 1, 2012.

For assistance with questions, contact Mary Pat Olsen at (651) 582-8624 or mde.school-verify@state.mn.us.

See the memorandum from Tom Melcher, director, School Finance Division, regarding the above-mentioned matter. Laws of Minnesota for 2012, Chapter 239, Article 2, Sections 16 and 17, modify the formulas to be used to calculate literacy incentive aid beginning in FY 2013. See the spreadsheet showing the estimated aid calculations for each school and district. For assistance with questions regarding literacy aid calculations, contact Bob Porter at (651) 582-8851 or bob.porter@state.mn.us.

Registration and lodging are free for Minnesota public school administrators who attend the Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium for the first time through funding provided by the William D. Radichel Foundation. The event will be held June 11-14 in Austin, MN. Visit the symposium website for information regarding the Pre-Conference, General Symposium and Administrator Day. Contact Wendy Behrens at wendy.behrens@state.mn.us or (651) 582-8786 with questions or to access foundation funding.