The motion to not hold DFL caucuses was defeated. I missed this part of the convention because of another meeting, but I heard the debate was very good with great arguments on both sides.
Recent news articles pointed to behavior problems in classrooms as the number 1 problem with families taking their kids out of the traditional Minneapolis public schools. This was not addressed by candidates or questioners at the convention.
Lydia Lee and Peggy Flanigan were endorsed on the first ballot. There were 600+ votes cast.
Hats off to Peggy Flanigan for the best campaign. Clearly, she spent the most money. Her organization was excellent! I'm not sure what she will do on the board - but she was the top votegetter.
Denny Shapiro and Mr. Jibrell placed 3rd and 4th respectively; Henry-Blythe was a distant 5th. Ironically, the 23 year-old South High graduate, Greg Holdsworth provided more information about budget priorities than any other candidate. He would fight for retaining arts ed and ESL, support but change content of vending machines, and not expand to full-day kindergarten beyond what the district is already providing at this time. Agree with him or not, he was more detailed in his budget priorities than any other candidate.
Mr. Holdsworth and Ms. Freeman were dropped after the 1st ballot.
The convention was presented with a very pro-union, pro-public employees resolution that was read by the chair. Delegates did not have a copy of the resolution and there was no overhead projection. One of the Whereas clauses criticized two MPS directors for wanting to change the public employees act. Three speakers, including Louise Sundin, immediately spoke in favor of the resolution - they all sounded good. Then, Allen Spear spoke against the Whereas clause that criticized the unnamed MPS board members and urged the defeat of the resolution. Then, Audrey Johnson and Judy Farmer appeared together at a microphone explaining that they really hadn't talked to someone (at the state legislature?) and both were pro-union. Director Johnson complained about a Jan 15th negotiating deadline saying that missing the deadline cost $25 per day per student and that changes were needed, all had to help the MPS financially.
In the meantime, none of us who were not insiders really understood what was going on [except that Johnson and Farmer, unnamed, were the two MPS directors referred to in this pro-union Whereas clause and they felt they had to answer for it]. The DFL, with it's streamlined rules no longer allows delegates to get more information to know what they are voting on - so my pro-union small group guessed, correctly or not, that management (Johnson) wanted no deadline or other flexibility or no penalties - and this didn't go over with the group.
Before anyone could ask a question, a delegate moved to delete the Whereas section referring to the two MPS directors [Johnson and Farmer] and she was ruled out of order because debate was automatically closed. She appealed the rule. Next, a delegate was recognized who wanted to extend debate and this motion was seemingly accepted. In short, a parliamentary mess and by the time it was sorted out, the DFL City Convention defeated the resolution. It's the first time, in my memory going back through DFL conventions to 1972, that the DFL has done so.
I hop someone who could stay until the convention end will post how it turned out.
Shawne FitzGerald Powderhorn
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