[Mpls] School Board Endorsement

[Catherine Shreves]

A number of list members are expressing concern that we may have only one school board member of color on the board next year. I share that concern, particularly because Al Gallmon will be leaving the board, and he has been such a visible advocate for students of color.   I do think, however, that it's important for the community--and list members--to know that some of our white school board members (and a candidate) have children of color, and their commitment to the success of children of color as a group is deep and personal.   For the record, Denny Schapiro, a current board member, has an African American son and is a long-time Big Brother to an African American boy; Audrey Johnson, a current board member, has 2 African American children at Anthony Middle School; and school board candidate Joe Erickson has 3 Korean children at Marcy School. While these folks have faces that are white, they have chosen to have diverse families. That has a powerful influence on how they view the world, the schools, and our city's children.    Catherine Shreves Minneapolis School Board Chair