Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of State Representative Karen Klinzing and Head Start Director Sandra Simar to the Governor's Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention. 

Rep. Karen Klinzing, of Woodbury, represents House District 56B, which includes the cities of Woodbury and Landfall in southern Washington County.  She was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2002, and was re-elected in 2004.  Rep. Klinzing serves as a member of the Education Finance Committee, the Education Policy and Reform Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee.  She previously worked as a high school social studies teacher for 12 years.  Rep. Klinzing is appointed as the State Representative member of the Council.  She will serve a term which ends January 1, 2007.  Rep. Klinzing fills the Council seat formerly held by Rep. Lynda Boudreau. 

Sandra Simar, of Rochester, currently serves as Head Start Director at Child Care Resource & Referral in Rochester.  From 2000 to 2005, she served as state collaboration director for Minnesota Head Start at the Minnesota Department of Education.  From 1994 to 2000, she served as Head Start Director for Wright County Community Action in Maple Lake.  Simar fills the Council position for a Head Start Director member.  She will serve a term which ends January 7, 2008.  Simar fills the Council seat formerly held by Mavis Ochsendorf. 

The Governor's Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention is charged with advising on the creation of interagency programs of early childhood intervention services for children with disabilities (primarily under five years of age) and their families.  The Council is made up of 17-25 members appointed by the Governor.