Conversation

Notices

1. Embed this notice
   Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:34:30 JST Paul Cantrell

   Hey #Minneapolis schools parents, FYI: based on the latest bargaining session between the district and the teachers, it seems like odds are very good we’re heading for •another• strike this year. It was a giant “F U” from the district. Heads up.

   1/

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:36:36 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     If your reaction to that is “wat?! didn’t they already win??” then this piece might provide some helpful context:

     https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/02/27/higher-pay-for-minneapolis-teachers-is-a-moral-imperative/

     In St. Paul, “teachers enjoy an average salary advantage of $10,000 over MPS educators”

     “This lack of compensation has fueled an exodus of educators from the Minneapolis district, where annual attrition rates stand at a staggering 20% — nearly twice as high as other Minnesota districts”

     20%. JFC.

     2/

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:38:05 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     The district insists it’s out of money, but:

     “Despite perpetual claims of operating deficits, in four out of the last five years, MPS projected budget deficits only to conclude those years with surpluses”

     “Our state government just allocated an additional $32 million for MPS in 2024 and $42 million in 2025”

     “While budget allocations for external contracts and administration have increased in recent years, funds for instruction have actually •decreased•”

     https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/02/27/higher-pay-for-minneapolis-teachers-is-a-moral-imperative/

     3/

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:40:14 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     Trying to read between the lines, my own take — and please understand this is just me squinting, nothing more:

     We have a vastly improved school board after the last election, but they aren’t in charge of these negotiations.

     We have a brand new superintendent who’s…promising, maybe? but •weeks• into her job.

     Neither superintendent nor board are driving these negotiations. Yet.

     4/

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:44:59 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     The people driving these negotiations are the zombie administration of Ed Graff, lumbering on in the toxic, scorched earth shamble that has been the district norm for the past decade.

     I’m hopeful that a strike, if one comes, would help shift control into the hands of the board and the new superintendent — who are very different players than the last time around. (I am a stupidly optimistic person.)

     Hang in there, fellow Minneapolis parents. Whatever comes next, this fight is worth it.

     /end

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:45:31 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     • Abra Staffin-Wiebe

     @abracanabra I •know•

     Hoping it doesn’t come to that. Hoping it gets resolved faster if it does (see downthread).

   • Embed this notice
     Abra Staffin-Wiebe (abracanabra@wandering.shop)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:45:32 JST Abra Staffin-Wiebe

     in reply to

     @inthehands Nooooooooooooooo

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:56:56 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     • kevin

     @kmmfoo
     The history is long and complicated, but some key points:

     • State (esp Pawlenty admin) ends “Minnesota miracle,” lets state-level school funding bleed to death
     • MFT (teachers’ union) had weak leadership, basically asleep at the switch until <5 years ago, is making up for 15 years of failing to strike when they should have
     • Ed Graff (prev superintendent) was a nincompoop at best, total empty suit
     • Local politics machinations around destroying public ed

   • Embed this notice
     kevin (kmmfoo@friendsofdesoto.social)'s status on Wednesday, 28-Feb-2024 13:56:57 JST kevin

     in reply to

     @inthehands Sounds like nobody is in charge, and yet the teachers are not being paid what they’re worth.

     How did this situation get set up in the first place?

   • Embed this notice
     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Sunday, 03-Mar-2024 07:56:10 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     UPDATE: The Minneapolis teachers’ union is asking community members to contact the board and superintendent to help avoid a strike:
     https://actionnetwork.org/letters/help-us-avoid-a-strike/

     If you do write, please keep in mind that (1) the new superintendent has only been in her job for •weeks•, and (2) many board members are sympathetic, and the board is not (yet) in direct control of negotiations. You are speaking to potential allies. Don't pull punches, but use your words wisely.

     #Minneapolis