Being a Republican in the city I support the school referenda. I believe in
local control and accountability. Take the percentage student makeup of a
suburban district and apply it to Minneapolis, and compare the test scores
for that percentage. The Minneapolis kids do just as well if not better then
that of the suburban district. The Minneapolis school system is the most
diverse system in Minnesota, and it must address those special needs.
However, I've not been pleased with the way some of the state money
earmarked for the schools has been used in the past. I also know that there
are far better ways to spend that money the system gets. There are better
ways to address issues such as administration, transportation, and building
costs.
I've worked very hard to help bring these issues to light. The
accountability lays with not only the school board, but with our state
representatives and senators. Local control of the money and issues is the
only way Minneapolis will be able to address it's own concerns, and the
referenda is the only way to put the money into the school board's hands.
This also requires parent involvement, and a focus on the real issues to
correctly determine the wisest solutions.
Steve Sumner
Mpls - Ward 1
One of many city Republicans supporting public schools
