IVANHOE, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Event Includes Discussion of Current Issues Affecting Schools,
Opportunity to Meet with Lawmakers at the State Capitol
Funds Are Available to offset Cost of Travel to the Event
St. Paul ? Parents from across Minnesota are invited to hear from experts on key issues affecting public education and to learn how they can be effective advocates for their own schools at the 2006 Parents United for Public Schools Leadership Summit on Monday, May 15 in St. Paul.
 The summit will begin at 8 a.m. in the Grand Hall of the TIES Building in St. Paul, where education leaders will discuss with participants current issues affecting schools, and update them on what's happening at the State Capitol.  In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to visit their own state legislators at the Capitol and discuss with them the importance of strong schools to their community.
 ?In the past several years, schools across Minnesota have been hit hard by unwise state cutbacks that threaten not only our kids education, but also the future of our state.  Parents have become some of the most active and effective players in communicating with policy-makers that we need to invest in our schools again,? said Eric Jackson, president of Parents United for Public Schools.
?This event will provide parents with information to advocate on behalf of their own schools and give them the opportunity to network and share information with other engaged parents from communities across the state.  They don't need to be education experts - or even parents -- to attend.  They simpl y need to be willing to learn and to lend t heir voice to making our public schools the best they can be.?
 Registration for the event is requested, and the cost is $15 per participant.  Funds are available to defray travel and lodging costs for public school parents in greater Minnesota.  A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.  For information on registering or to learn more about the event, go to www.parentsunited.org, or contact Eunice Slager at 612-385-4501 or eunice@parentsunited.org.& lt; /P>
Summit to Arm Parents with Current Information About Minnesota's Public Schools
 Mary Brainerd, the President and CEO of HealthPartners, will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the recently-released ?Minding the Gap? study, which examined Minnesota's shortcomings on a variety of issues that affect the state's future.  The study was done by the Itasca Project, a group of 40 government, civic and business leaders who study issues that impact Minnesota's long-term economic growth. 
 A panel of education experts will then respond to the study and discuss its significance for Minnesota's public schools.  Parents who attend can ask questions and be part of the discussion.
 Later, parents will hear how they can be effective advocates for their schools and have an affect on state lawmakers' decisions about education policies and funding.
 Parents United for Public Schools is a statewide, grassroots organization of concerned and informed Minnesota parents and citizens committed to Minnesota's leadership in providing children a quality public education.