Mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis could take control of school districts within their cities by appointing a board of education and chief executive officer, as well as an education advisory committee of stakeholders within the community.
Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Red Wing) sponsors
HF2621, which would allow for exactly that. The House Education Reform Committee approved the bill March 8 and sent it to the House Government Operations and Elections Committee. Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) sponsors the companion,
SF2306, which awaits action by the Senate Education Committee.
Kelly argued that the bill would add “another tool in the toolbox” that could contribute to student achievement. He explained that the goal is to increase stability in leadership within Twin Cities’ metropolitan area schools. Proponents of the bill said the mayor could lend a more central voice of authority and accountability for the districts.
“I am a co-author of the bill because I think this is a good discussion to have. … I think it would bring some additional benefit to the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts,” said Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-Belle Plaine).
Educators and administrators spoke against the bill, saying that little evidence is available to show this change would lead to student achievement. The committee also read a letter from Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak, which stated his concern with the bill’s approach to education improvement in the metro area.
Rep. John Benson (DFL-Minnetonka) voiced opposition, emphasizing the need for local school control.
“I just have a sense that some of us who live in other communities are sitting out here and telling people who deal with this every day, we know better than you,” he said.
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