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School Finance Division - Who are we and what do we do - Back to School Conference

Division of School Finance, Minnesota Department of Education

Cathy Erickson | Director of School Finance

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Ten Minnesota Commitments to Equity

  1. Prioritize equity.
  2. Start from within.
  3. Measure what matters.
  4. Go local.
  5. Follow the money.
  6. Start early.
  7. Monitor implementation of standards.
  8. Value people.
  9. Improve conditions for learning.
  10. Give students options.

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Division of School Finance - MDE

  • The Division of School Finance falls under the Chief Operating Officer, Patty Hand, who is a member of MDE Cabinet
  • Director Cathy Erickson and Assistant Director Daley Lehmann oversee 7 teams with varying responsibilities.
  • The entire division is 52 staff members.

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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School Finance Teams

Overview of our Division Teams:

  • General Education Revenue & State Aids
  • Data Management
  • Budget & Facilities
  • Financial Management & Reporting
  • Auditing
  • Special Education Finance
  • Special Education Monitoring

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Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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General Education Revenue & State Aids

  • Supervisor: Kelly Wosika

Team Leads:

  • Levy & Q-Comp – Jason Reil
  • Community Ed & Achievement & Integration – Jan Carlson
  • Lease Levy/Debt/Taconite – Kateri Little
  • Facilities & Debt Funding – Lonn Moe
  • General Education Funding/Operating Referendums – Kristine Anderson
  • General Education Funding & Payments – Becky Wochnick
  • Non-public/Adult Basic Ed/Am. Indian Aid – Greg Sogaard

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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Data Management

  • Supervisor: Gayra Ostgaard

Team Leads:

  • MARSS Accounting – Marilynn Loehr
  • Student Accounting – Tara Chapa
  • PSEO & ADM Projections – Jeanne Krile
  • Ed-Fi Support – Kari Johnson
  • Transportation – Kelly Garvey
  • SSID – Sylvie Djatsa
  • MDE/ORG – Michelle Carey
  • Website Tech – Siobhan Judd

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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Budget & Facilities

  • Supervisor: Judy Kuck

Team Leads:

  • Budget & Fiscal Notes – Bettsy Hjelseth
  • Budget & Fiscal Analysis/Charter Review & Comment – Ann VanDiest
  • IDEAS Aid Payments – Tracy Gann-Olehy
  • Facilities/District Organization – Chris Kubesh
  • Health & Safety/LTFM/Emergency Preparedness – Sarah Miller

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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Financial Management

  • Supervisor: Mary Weigel

Team Leads:

  • MARSS Accounting – Marilynn Loehr
  • Student Accounting – Tara Chapa
  • PSEO & ADM Projections – Jeanne Krile
  • Ed-Fi Support – Kari Johnson
  • Transportation – Kelly Garvey
  • SSID – Sylvie Djatsa
  • MDE/ORG – Michelle Carey
  • Website Tech – Siobhan Judd

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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MDE Audits

  • Supervisor: Jennifer Glanz

Team Leads:

  • Brian McCall
  • Stacy Grover
  • Angie Erlandson
  • Current Opening
  • MDE is required by state statute to complete at least 25 audits per year focusing on MARSS enrollment, eligible Compensatory students, transportation, and any other area directed by the Commissioner of Education.

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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Special Education Finance

  • Supervisor: Paul Ferrin

Team Leads:

  • SERVS/MEGS – Denise Berger
  • Tuition/Applications/SERVS & MEGS– Mary Acosta
  • Special Education Aid – Dave Lobejko
  • SEDRA/SERVS & MEGS/Maint. Of Effort (MOE) – Angie Sepp
  • Special Pupils/Sped Ed Aid Calculations – Jill Bemis
  • Support – Carisa Ricci

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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Special Education Fiscal Monitoring

  • Supervisor: Bridgette Ramaley

Team Leads:

  • Fiscal Monitors-
  • Darin Graff
  • Laura Waldoch
  • Vola Wiens
  • Open Position
  • COVID Monitors (Temporary to Spring 2025)
  • Yvonne Cain
  • Hannah Zelmer

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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Connect with Us!

You can call MDE and ask to be transferred to the staff above. 651-582-8200

Please use mde.funding@state.mn.us, ask your question and that email will be routed to the correct team member.

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Director: Cathy Erickson cathy.erickson@state.mn.us

Asst. Director: Daley Lehmann daley.lehmann@state.mn.us

Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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Who and how we support…

School Finance teams often support:

  • Internally at MDE to provide program areas with funding impacts
  • Direct support with individual LEAs (districts, charters, cooperatives, and intermediates)
    • Often phone calls, emails, and Teams meetings
  • Provide fiscal note evaluations of proposed legislation
  • Recommend to MDE leadership legislative proposals and technical corrections
  • Being technical support for task forces and work groups
  • Attend and present at conferences and seminars
  • Provide guidance and support on new legislation or funding processes and procedures
  • Create and provide regular trainings and support
  • Supporting data requests and collaboration with communications on school finance related media requests
  • And MORE!!

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Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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7/24/2024

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Thank You!�School Finance is here to help!

Cathy Erickson, Director of School Finance

cathy.erickson@state.mn.us 651-582-8391

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Daley Lehmann, Asst. Director of School Finance

daley.lehmann@state.mn.us 651-582-8817

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Minnesota Department of Education | education.mn.gov

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