Sara Spafford Freeman

Sorry for the delay. I logged off socials for a few months. I have so many thoughts! Let's connect. PM me (is that a thing on here?).

Tucked into the weekly email to MPS parents was this update on the budget. A couple of thoughts… 🧵

Got a read out from Rep Long’s meeting w/MPS parents Th & it sounds like NONE of this is going to happen. But the DFL seems poised to abolish school choice & has officially lost the plot on public Ed. We save this system by INVESTING in it, not limiting families’ choices.

There is SO much work to do to “fully fund” public schools in MN.
Critical steps include: 1. update the Gen Ed formula (which determines ~80% of funding). 2. permanently close SPED & EL xsubs. 3. Lift concentration cap for EL. 4. Increase funding for universal free meals & READ Act.

4. How will the Legislature support the hundreds of new students & families to Mpls in this session’s budget? (Cuz it seems like state, county & city authorities have just dumped all of it on public schools).

3. Will you push the Legislature to remove the “concentration cap” for EL funding? (This also costs MPS $, especially after influx of immigrant students).

2. Why haven’t (any of) you co-sponsored & advocated for bills to fully close the SPED & EL cross subsidies? (These will cost MPS >$20 million this yr).

Rep. Jamie Long is meeting with MPS parents tomorrow nite. I can’t make it but my questions for him & other Mpls Legislators: 1. How will you systemically address the issue of declining enrollments? (Because adding 2% on the formula isn’t doing it).

I made it! (No small feat for a Gen X, tech-averse, social media hating human).