[Mpls] Patrick Peterson for School board

Wed, 25 Apr 2001 05:28:16 -0700



Hi everybody;
My name is Patrick Peterson, and I am running for the Minneapolis School Board. Let me tell you a little about my background.  I grew up in Minneapolis and was a student at Northeast Middle School and Patrick Henry High School. I am now currently a senior at the University of Minnesota and majoring in economics. During my years in high school, I learned a great deal about Minneapolis Public Schools as I worked on some of the city�s most pressing issues:
  • I served on the District�s Technology Council and wrote the Appropriate Use Policy for Internet Users as well as the District�s Technology Vision Statement,
  • I served on the District Leadership Team and helped refine the district�s strategic direction and vision statements,
  • I wrote the Citywide Policy Against Hazing which was passed in January 1996 by the Board,
  • I helped write and advocate for the passage of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy, which was passed by the Board in February 1996 and introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature by Senator Larry Pogemiller.

I am running for the Board because I believe in the power of public education. I have been fortunate to receive such a high quality education from the Minneapolis school system. As a member of the School Board I hope to ensure that students will receive the same and even better education than I had. Specifically, as your Board member I will focus on the following three issues:

  • Treat teachers like the professionals they are. Minneapolis has some of the best and most educated teachers in the country. However, we can do more by providing resources for teachers to seek education in their subject area. We must also support teachers by listening to their needs and providing them with the resources they need to educate students.
  • Celebrate our diversity. Minneapolis is a unique district in Minnesota. We have students and staff speaking over 76 languages that are from almost every country in the world. Our diversity gives us a strength that other school districts � some of which have more money in their budgets � do not have. We should appreciate the rainbow of people who come through the doors of Minneapolis Public Schools and continue to support multicultural education.
  • Focus on the budget. The district is planning for a $29.5 million shortfall in the next year. As your Board member, I will continue to lobby the state Legislature and the Governor for more money for public schools. It is important the school system has the funds it needs so all students get the quality education they deserve.

I've talked to some of you (DFLers) already on the telephone, and will be doing so until the convention on the 5th. I've you've got issues about public education and want to talk to me personally, send me an e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or give me a call at 612-301-3675. I've got the support of Scott Dibble, Julie Mattson Ostrow, Ann Kaari, Ann Berget, (some of the Board Members with whom I worked the closest) Michael O'Keefe, Aaron Street, Richard Mammen, Dave Lee and Megan Thomas, among others. I hope I can keep talking to you, and I hope you'll give me your consideration.

Patrick Peterson
Ward 1, Pct.4
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