[Mpls] School Board Convention

[Michael Atherton]

Shawne FitzGerald wrote:

> The convention was presented with a very pro-union, 
> pro-public employees resolution that was read by the 
> chair.  Delegates did not have a copy of the resolution 
> and there was no overhead projection.   One of the 
> Whereas clauses criticized two MPS directors for wanting to 
> change the public employees act.  Three speakers, including 
> Louise Sundin, immediately spoke in favor of the resolution 
> - they all sounded good. Then, Allen Spear spoke against 
> the Whereas clause that criticized the unnamed MPS board 
> members and urged the defeat of the resolution.  Then, 
> Audrey Johnson and Judy Farmer appeared together at a microphone 
> explaining that they really hadn't talked to someone (at the state 
> legislature?) and both were pro-union.  Director Johnson complained 
> about a Jan 15th negotiating deadline saying that missing the 
> deadline cost $25 per day per student and that changes were needed, 
> all had to help the MPS financially.

Thank God for charter schools, because it seems clear what
Priority 1 is for the DFL and it ain't educational reform.

It will be interesting to see if the DFL fronts another
all White set of candidates -again- and fails to endorse
the only minority school board member. Of course they
could chose a token more likely to follow the party line. 
Unbelievable. The DFL has certainly come a long way since
the Sixties.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park