September: Minneapolis Public Schools

This month LWVMpls continues its long history of educating members and the public on school issues.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges addressed the achievement gap in her inaugural address. Early this spring, a school board candidate forum attracted 50 concerned parents and interested citizens. Former Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak of Generation Next says, “Every Minnesotan needs to be engaged in helping close the achievement gap between white students and students of color.”

The Minneapolis Foundation “envisions OneMinneapolis, where all children are on track to compete in a global economy, participate in civic life, and pursue their dreams.” Many organizations and community groups are working to address problems in our schools.

Minneapolis Public Schools, with a budget of $780 million, is greeting the 2014-15 school year with innovative programs to answer some of the concerns of the past few years.

Take a look at the MPS website: www.mpls.k12.mn.us It offers easy-to-find and easy -to-read material.

Another good source of information at the state level is Parents United for Public Schools. This organization looks at school issues from the parent point of view and works on the state level.

Discussion and education about the school board races is also important at this time. Districts 1, 3 and 5 seats will be on the November ballot as well as two city-wide seats. LWVMpls plans to sponsor a candidate forum.

Additional Resources:

Charter Schools: Minnpost- Ember Reichgott Junge, Seven Myths about Charter Schools, 7/17/14

Roosevelt High School: Minnpost; Beth Hawkins, 6/23/14

Dark Money in Mpls School Board Race: Minnpost, Beth Hawkins, 07/24/14