(11/14/2025) Anoka-Hennepin superintendent Cory McIntyre has been appointed to serve on Minnesota’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education, a new 16-member advisory board tasked with developing and presenting an action plan for transforming special education in Minnesota. 

Why it matters: The Minnesota legislature mandated that $250 million be removed from the state budget starting in 2027 in relation to support of special education services. 

The task: The Blue Ribbon Commission is tasked with developing a plan that can gain support to address the $250 reduction goal, or the legislature has stated they will take action to make the reductions independently.  For each element of the action plan, the commission must analyze the effect on students eligible for special education; special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and other unlicensed special education staff; and other special education constituencies as the commission deems appropriate. 

Special education leader: Supt. McIntyre has significant work experience serving in leadership roles in special education administration in Anoka-Hennepin Schools along with work in ISD 622, Hudson, Wisconsin, and Rochester Public Schools. St. Paul’s Dr. Stacie Stanley and Intermediate District 287’s Marcy Doud are the other superintendents serving on the panel.  

Timeline: The commission has an Oct. 1, 2026 timeline for completion of their work. 

Follow along: Meeting recaps and additional information is posted on the Minnesota Department of Education website.