Our HIstory
1980 - 1989
In 1980, the decision was made to include all school workers and Minnesota Association of Auxiliary Personnel (MAAP) left MEA and was renamed the Minnesota School Employees Association.
During the next four years, MSEA experienced rapid growth. This growth spurt was accompanied by increasing financial difficulties. By 1984 MSEA’s Delegate Assembly elected to affiliate with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Following affiliation, MSEA turned from organizing new units and focused on providing better representation and service to existing MSEA members.
In the summer of 1989 MSEA’s Board of Directors and staff drafted MSEA’s mission statement which has been MSEA’s guiding light.
1990 - 1999
In the early 1990s, MSEA began actively organizing new bargaining units. In 1995 the Delegate Assembly voted to leave SEIU and MSEA became an independent union once again. By the end of the 1990s, MSEA’s recently empowered members were experiencing their first serious strikes and contract campaigns.
The 2000s
In the past two decades, MSEA has faced new challenges externally and within. In order to prepare ourselves to meet these new challenges, we must direct our focus to the core ideals contained in our mission statement – Growth, Dignity, Member Empowerment, Democracy, Fiscal Responsibility and Professionalism. By understanding our past, we are better able to shape our future. By adhering to our mission statement, our future will be as successful as the last 40+ years!
Leadership History
MSEA’s past and present leaders have guided the union. Here’s a list of all the Presidents and Executive Directors who have served us well.
| Year | President | Executive Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Erika Polansky Bev Dahlgren, Austin | |
| 1980-81 | Bev Dahlgren, Austin | |
| 1981-82 | Bev Dahlgren, Austin | Mike Pirsch |
| 1982-83 | Bev Dahlgren, Austin Lynette Miller, Rochester | Mike Pirsch |
| 1983-84 | Lynette Miller, Rochester | Mike Pirsch |
| 1984-85 | Lynette Miller, Rochester | Mike Pirsch |
| 1985-86 | Lynette Miller, Rochester | Glennis TerWisscha |
| 1986-87 | Gayle Morehouse, Centennial | Glennis TerWisscha Nancy Crippen |
| 1987-88 | Sue Ezell, St. Cloud | Nancy Crippen |
| 1988-89 | Sue Ezell, St. Cloud | Nancy Crippen |
| 1989-90 | Sue Ezell, St. Cloud | Nancy Crippen |
| 1990-91 | Sue Ezell, St. Cloud Merldeen Feuerhak, Austin | Nancy Crippen |
| 1991-92 | Merldeen Feuerhak, Austin | Nancy Crippen |
| 1992-93 | Merldeen Feuerhak, Austin | Nancy Crippen |
| 1993-94 | Merldeen Feuerhak, Austin | Nancy Crippen |
| 1994-95 | Merldeen Feuerhak, Austin | Nancy Crippen |
| 1995-96 | Donna Michaelis, Willmar | Nancy Crippen |
| 1996-97 | Donna Michaelis, Willmar | Rose Roach |
| 1997-98 | Donna Michaelis, Willmar | Rose Roach |
| 1998-99 | Donna Michaelis, Willmar | Rose Roach |
| 1999-00 | Candy Richards, Moorhead | Rose Roach |
| 2000-01 | Diane Chapa, Eden Prairie | Rose Roach |
| 2001-02 | Diane Chapa, Eden Prairie | Rose Roach |
| 2002-03 | Diane Chapa, Eden Prairie | Peggy Byrne (Interim) |
| 2003-04 | Diane Chapa, Eden Prairie | Peggy Byrne |
| 2004-05 | Les Schermerhorn, Moorhead | Kevin Fahey |
| 2005-06 | Les Schermerhorn, Moorhead | |
| 2006-07 | Evan Mapes, Thief River Falls | Mary Kearney |
| 2007-08 | Evan Mapes, Thief River Falls | Mary Kearney |
| 2008-09 | Evan Mapes, Thief River Falls | Gary Johnson (Interim) Christina L. Clark |
| 2009-10 | Evan Mapes, Thief River Falls | Christina L. Clark |
| 2010-11 | Evan Mapes, Thief River Falls | Christina L. Clark |
| 2011-12 | Evan Mapes, Thief River Falls | Christina L. Clark |
| 2012-13 | Sue Ames, LaCrescent Mark Spangler, Mankato | Christina L. Clark |
| 2013-14 | Deanne Glynn, Shakopee | Christina L. Clark Gary Johnson (Interim) |
| 2014-15 | Deanne Glynn, Shakopee | Tee McClenty |
| 2015-16 | Deanne Glynn, Shakopee | Tee McClenty |
| 2016-17 | Deanne Glynn, Shakopee Amy Woodford, Cass Lake (Acting) | Tee McClenty Deanne Glynn (Interim) |
| 2017-18 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake | Deanne Glynn |
| 2018-19 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake | Deanne Glynn |
| 2019-20 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake | Deanne Glynn |
| 2020-21 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake | Deanne Glynn |
| 2021-22 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake | Deanne Glynn |
| 2022-23 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake | Deanne Glynn |
| 2023-24 | Amy Woodford, Cass Lake Rachel Nelson, Clearbrook-Gonvick | Deanne Glynn |
| 2024-25 | Rachel Nelson, Clearbrook-Gonvick | Deanne Glynn |
Our Mission Statement
The Minnesota School Employees Association is a growing union which recognizes the dignity of the individual worker and the power of the organized body. It is a democratic union directed by its membership, and it is fiscally responsible to that membership. Through an empowered membership and a professional staff, MSEA provides the highest level of representation and service in the State of Minnesota.