(I don't believe this is my third post, but I've been doing so much of this
stuff today, I suppose it could be.)
>
> Andy asks:
>
>> Are Minneapolis School Board members elected by ward/district?
>
> No. But given disparities in income, the move to community schools,
> etc., maybe some should be. I know the DFL tries to balance endorsees
> geographically; perhaps it should be instituted in big "quadrant"
> districts with some at-large, a la the park board. Thoughts?
David asks: "Thoughts?"
Never ask Driscoll for "thoughts." Very dangerous.
Well, yes, Dave, I have some thoughts. :-)
Actually, my primary thought is that all governing bodies in cities of our
size(s) should consist of a mix of district and at-large representatives.
An all-ward system is a poor system because none of the members share
constituencies with each other, thus creating of wards fiefdoms used in the
inevitable vote-trading that passes for policymaking. "You give me your vote
for this item in my ward/district, and I'll give you mine for your next
project" is the unspoken code, almost always negotiated in secret and sealed
long before the public may even be aware of it.
The public may also be fooled into believing that they have a voice in those
decisions, but often even public hearings are a show when the votes are
really in on the subject under consideration.
If members of governing bodies are forced to share the voters who elected
them with other members of the same body, the vote trading is minimized or
nearly absent. This focuses policymakers more on policymaking and less on
ward-heeling. I doubt the Heron scandal would have occurred if the
Minneapolis City Council were a mixed system of ward and at-large seats.
Moreover with an at-large contingent, the Council is comprised of members
with a citywide perspective balanced by a regional, or more parochial
contingent - a good balance and one that results in more statesmanship than
feudal fighting.
Minneapolis is unique in the power its strong council wields. Most cities
are governed by a strong mayor or a city management system with the council
serving only as a legislative body with no administrative responsibilities.
In Minneapolis, the Council plays a major administrative role along with its
legislative duties. With its "weak" mayor whose powers are somewhat limited
by the charter, but who draws lightning nonetheless, Minneapolis and its
triad of Council/Mayor/Coordinator (co-appointed, yes?)
An all at-large system is not good either, especially from the perspective
of representational diversity. Traditionally, all at-large bodies have been
comprised of the elite, often beholden to large special interests who can
afford to put them there. This has, in the past, excluded people of color
from office and power. It's very expensive to run citywide, so all sorts of
people would be excluded by that system.
But in a mixed system, all voters have a chance to elect and to run for a
majority of the seats on body. For example, were the present 13 members of
the City Council a mixed body of 7 wards and 6 at-large seats, the balance
struck would keep the majority elected by ward, but each voter would also
vote for seven seats - their own ward rep and six at-large candidates,
meaning that those same seats - not just the one that now serves their ward
- would be available to run for. This presents a greater, not lesser,
opportunity for elective diversity, contrary to some notions.
Now, whether or not that particular configuration (7-6) would work best in
Minneapolis is a matter for discussion. Wards should outnumber at-large
seats, but not at the expense of good policy and less vote-trading. In this
case, I'd suggest no less than an 8-5 configuration. In that case, voters no
longer vote for a potential majority of the Council, but would still be able
to vote for and run for 6 seats instead of just 1.
The same should hold true of a school board for a large city like
Minneapolis. Although costing less to run at-large for the school board, it
remains not cheap to do so, and it might be wise to break it up into some
districts and at-large seats, to allow greater access and greater
representation for neighborhood/school cluster parents and activists.
How many school board members now? Seven? Nine? Some sort of quadrant split
with the remainder at-large would make sense, it seems to me.
It's a little weird to be electing some board members in even-numbered years
and the others in odd years. If going to even numbers and remaining
staggered, why not put the others into the presidential year?
See? Never ask Driscoll for "thoughts."
>> Is the reason for a shortened term?
>
> Yes, a good reason! There used to be one odd-year election cycle (1999
> was the last election-year) in which the mayor/council/park seats were
> not up, so the school board was the only thing on the ballot. Turnout
> was miserable by anyone's standard.
>
> So the school board folks shifted the cycle by installed some
> one-time-only three-year terms (members elected in 1998 incumbents
> served three years that were up in 2001, now the 1999 class is getting
> theirs in 2002).
>
> From here on out, the school board members will be elected either during
> an even-year when some combo of legislature/governor/U.S. Senate races
> will bring people out (2002, 2006, 2010) or the in the year that the
> council & mayor are elected (2001, 2005, 2009 - although this may change
> if Phyllis Kahn's bill passes - how IS that doing?).
As for Phyllis Kahn's bill, it's too quiet out there for comfort. We'd
better check on that. It may be attached to some other obscure bill if it
didn't make it through committee or an initial floor vote
Andy Driscoll
Saint Paul
------
"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied
corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of
strength, and bid defiance to the laws of the country."
--- Thomas Jefferson,1816
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