The Senate Education Finance Committee is hearing testimony on its proposed budget. This budget cuts funding for charter school special education transportation, building maintenance, and special education services. It also does not include funding for Metro Deaf School’s Birth to Three Early Learning Program (SF2502).

Dr. Susan Outlaw, the executive director of Metro Deaf School, will testify about the impacts of these cuts on Metro Deaf School and on deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students at other charter schools.

The Commission encourages community members to attend the hearing in person. It's important for legislators to witness strong support for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students statewide.

If you cannot attend in person, here are some other options:

1. Watch the hearing live online or view a recording later. Please note that the onsite ASL interpreters generally will not be visible on video, and the captioning is generated using automated speech recognition technology.
2. Write or call the members of the Senate Education Finance Committee, especially the chair and ranking minority member, to urge them to support critical services for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students.

When

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM

Where

Minnesota Senate Building, Room 1150 or online at the Senate Webcast Schedule. After the hearing, a recording will become available at at Minnesota Senate Media Services. 

Accessibility

Livestream captioning generated by automated speech recognition technology is available and ASL interpreting will be provided onsite at the hearing. To provide feedback on digital accessibility of meeting information, please submit comments through the Minnesota Legislature Accessibility & Usability Comment Form.