I just stumbled across this announcement from last week, I don't
believe it has gotten any notice on the list: Patrick Peterson, Mpls
Public School grad ('97) is running for school board.
Gary Schiff
Corcoran
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Wednesday, April 18, 2001
U student campaigns for school board post
Mike Zacharias - www.MnDaily.com Staff Reporter
More than 25 people crammed into a medium-sized downtown
apartment Friday night, talking amid bottles of Grain Belt Premium
beer, sodas and a stainless steel colander half filled with cash
and checks.
The fund-raising event for Patrick Peterson attracted friends and
supporters, DFL workers, a University regent and a state senator.
Peterson, a College of Liberal Arts senior, said he is running for
Minneapolis Public Schools board on a platform based on diversity,
increasing teacher wages and working within the current
budget shortage. He is hoping for an endorsement from the DFL.
Peterson was heavily involved in University politics this year, serving
on the Student Services Fees Committee and as campaign
manager for Dan Kelly and Nick Dehnert, the Minnesota Student
Association's newly inaugurated president and vice president.
Peterson was also MSA's DEF Grant chairman.
"I'll bring a fresh perspective and knowledgeable background of
Minneapolis Public Schools," said Peterson, a 1997 graduate of
Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis. "My proximity to
being a student means that I understand what a high school student
is going through."
"I also have a lot of policy experience. In high school, I wrote the
citywide policy against hazing," Peterson said, adding he helped
draft a student bill of rights and responsibilities introduced in the
Legislature.
Dan Loewenson, assistant to the superintendent, recognized the
possible advantages of having a University student and a
Minneapolis Public Schools graduate sit on the board.
"I think the board could benefit in many of its policy discussions
from the perspective of a University student," said Loewenson. He
said there are currently seven to nine people running for
three positions.
"Most of the people that are running for election are people that
have served in some sort of leadership capacity," said Loewenson.
"In some way they've been engaged in public policy work."
The school board consists of seven people and meets twice a
month to discuss current educational topics. It is a policy-making
body overseeing the district budget, curriculum, personnel and
facilities. Board activities affect 128 schools, more than 8,000
employees and close to 49,000 students.
"It's almost like a full- to three-quarters-time job for some board
members," Loewenson said. "They often take advantage of visiting
schools, being a part of committees and being participants in
community activities."
If Peterson is elected, he will still be attending the University during
the three-year term.
"I will be going to school and it is a big time commitment, but I think
it is rewarding when you realize that you are part of a board that
helps to educate children," Peterson said.
If he does not receive the DFL endorsement in May, he will drop out
of the November election, Peterson said.
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