Basic services will be funded if I am elected mayor, and policies to ensure they remain fully funded into the future will be put in place. When droves of families leave a single school for another district school, or a charter, we know we are not being responsive to our families. The federal government is providing $207 million in American Rescue Plan funding to the school district, and board members now are signing off on a long and broad list of uses. I'm the lead cleanup organizer for neighborhood cleanup groups in Frogtown and Midway. The American Rescue Plan for SPPS is proposing $88.2 million directed to high quality education, $66.9 million to safe schools, $11.5 million to targeted student services, $10.9 million to family services and community partnerships, $11.7 million to operational expenses, $8 million to mental health and social-emotional learning and $9.4 million to systemic equity. I will provide it. I attended Highland Park High School and studied psychology and chemical dependency counseling at Minneapolis Community College. It's why we raised the minimum wage, launched CollegeBound St. Paul to start every child born in the city with $50 in a college savings account, eliminated late fines in public libraries and tripled free programming in our rec centers. I hope to bring my extensive background in institutional change management, strategic planning and inclusive community engagement to the table as an agent of the public, helping the district navigate the potentially very turbulent waters ahead with the implementation of this initiative. We then need to put in place before- and after-school childcare options for all of our families that need them. For projects underway, legally, they would have been vetted and negotiated by the current mayor and his administration through a publicly transparent approval process. I brought breakfast for striking workers and joined them on the picket line every morning. Republish. I bring a balance of professional and personal experience to the board, always putting children first. I believe the district's plan to spend its $207 million in American Rescue Plan dollars is comprehensive and sound. As a board member I will continue to support staff and listen to them. City government must work for the people and respond to community needs. It is my responsibility to put children first. I have been actively advocating for public education for the past eight years in various areas. Ensuring everyone in our community can secure stable and affordable housing is vital to every aspiration we have for our city. In regard to housing, it's critical that we continue to leverage investments that support our residents' ability to secure stable and affordable housing, like our Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Families First Rent Supplement Program and connecting people experiencing homelessness to support, services and resources. They have a chance to get ahead and save a lot of money in the long run. Where we need to improve is the size of the caseloads for many of our ELL teachers. They need assistance in the immediate present. Further, I will support referendums in which citizens will get to decide if we shall move city elections from odd-numbered-years to even-numbered years so as to double or even triple turnout. At the same time, the community has voiced a need for criminal justice system reform. CHICAGO - Candidate for mayor Paul Vallas is reacting after Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched an election-eve attack on him. My sons have autism and as a volunteer parent advocating through their individual education plans the last 10 years, I learned about the operations of SPPS. This is something our school board does not have power to do, but school board members need to advocate for our district to our state legislators who can do something about it. I am a graduate, parent of two St. Paul Public Schools graduates and a SPPS grandparent. It has exacerbated pre-existing disparities. The district has an unfortunate history of underserving English language learner students. Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas, who served as the first CEO of Chicago Public Schools, faces scrutiny for his decisions to forgo payments to the pension fund and hand out harsh probations for underperforming schools. Paul presents St. Paul Mayoral Candidate Forum, October 24, 2013 Chicago mayoral candidates, top row, from left: State Rep. Kam Buckner, U.S. Rep. Jess "Chuy" Garca, activist Ja'Mal Green. After graduating in 2016, I've stayed involved and active in district-related issues and have been an advocate for initiatives ranging from increasing culturally relevant curriculum to strategies for increasing enrollment and retention. I always support development. How would you approach your role as a board member when it comes to contract negotiations? ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Incumbent St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is projected to hold his position for another four years after earning about 62% of the first-choice votes. The district's ELL program provides the tools to the ELL teachers to get students from not speaking English at all to being integrated into a system and making academic gains. Endorsements: DFL Environmental Caucus, Friends of Lake Hiawatha, MN350 Action Other candidates running for mayor include AJ Awed, Bob Carney, St. Paul, MN 55114 (651) 641-6199. Finally, districts like ours have struggled with chronic underfunding for years. As mayor, I will ensure these happen. With a number of major development projects planned or underway including the former Ford plant, Hillcrest Golf Club and Boys Totem Town St. Paul is on the brink of some rare opportunities to shape the future of the city's economy and housing market. I'm qualified because I'm an incumbent who was elected vice chair of the school board by my colleagues. I work as a financial aid counselor. Worked for the city of Phoenix for four years and the state of Arizona for four years. I was frustrated with the level of crime in our city coupled with the lack of resources for our youth and decided a change must be made. Going forward I am committed to prevention of youth incarceration, however, we must hold them accountable or we will be remiss in our duties to govern our city. As a board member, I will serve my role by staying informed and actively aware of what is occurring within the process. Professionally, I serve as the executive director of the Highland Business Association. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Contact Us All of this and more form a body of work in St. Paul that we achieved together over the last three years, and is vital to the success of all our residents. For displaced renters, we need more housing. For new homeowners of color, we can offer down payment assistance. We need to assist in housing placement for their year of study to achieve their Minnesota licensure, we need to partner with the city of St. Paul to do this. That's why it's so crucial that we utilize American Rescue Plan funding to address the massive impact of COVID-19 and to fund the services for which our students and families have advocated. I believe it is now time to begin prioritizing the freedoms of our law-abiding citizens, and their businesses, over the freedom of criminals. I will continue to put my knowledge and experience to work to change the district from within to better serve students and families. As a sitting board member, I strive to be present in and aware of the conversations during negotiation cycles. Established connections with community groups, nonprofits and businesses due to past associations and committee memberships. Five takeaways from the Minneapolis DFLs City Council endorsement process, Jun. That's why all of our work has been focused on giving all St. Paulites a shot at the prosperity our city has to offer. Giving students one-on-one attention, building relationships with students and their families, cultural celebrations, hiring teachers and staff that look like the students, having interpreters, translating flyers and phone calls. I am a 30-plus-year professional educator, social worker and active community member. The allegations have surfaced at a high point in St. Paul's mayor's race. A public safety leader with experience in emergency management, incident command, threat prevention and mitigation, and community partnerships. Republish. A multi-use development i.e. WebPaul Langenfeld, personal care attendant and former vice president of the Highland Park district council; Abu Nayeem, data analyst and community organizer; Scott Evans Wergin, Childcare is a struggle for many families across our district, but it is especially difficult for single-parent families and families that have work schedules that are not flexible. I will vote "no" on the ballot question. Additionally, I believe the development of the SPPS Online School was a step in the right direction. Equity. Kate Knuth Saint Paul School Board. These often include affordable housing, homelessness, road maintenance, infrastructure, mental health and other issues. In the district, we continue to improve their learning process by meeting with children, families and staff. Basic translations and written materials are not adequate for families in SPPS. Ten candidates filed for the election to replace Mayor Chris Coleman (D), who did not file for re-election because of his 2018 campaign for governor. The board member should stay current on how negotiations are proceeding but remain out of the process. Founder of Guns Down St. Paul and Minneapolis for five years. Incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter faces seven challengers in his bid for another four years at the city's helm after a first term that saw the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police and subsequent civil unrest. Given my economics background, I'm fairly certain it will lead to a decrease in housing supply as these conditions are unfavorable to any new developer and place restrictions on renovations, leading to increased rental market prices. Low-income renters (likely people of color) are being displaced by wealthier homeowners (likely white) that may not live in the neighborhood. While we still have work to do to realize the safer outcomes we want for all our neighborhoods, we'll continue working to build the most comprehensive, coordinated and data-driven approach to public safety our city has ever endeavored. Election linksRegister to vote or check registration statusFind your polling placeSee what's on your ballotHow to vote earlyWhat is ranked-choice voting? As school board members who are agents of the public, my strategy would be to come to the table equipped with ample knowledge and perspective rooted in a collaborative, co-governance approach with labor groups and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a well-informed negotiation strategy. I have been involved in many volunteer projects to help others and particular causes and in civic affairs to help better St. Paul. I take a "yes and" approach: Fund SPPD and support policing alternatives. We are working to better identify gaps and make adjustments in our staffing and instruction, such as hiring additional ELL/MLL staff and partnering with outside agencies to create alternative access for support. Reading stop teaching with letter sounds and use word sounds, have more tutors available, peer mentors, student engagement, family engagement, help parents gain employment through the district, school start times and cultural awareness. Our students and community have been clear that when our kids see themselves reflected in their lessons and educators, they feel supported. CHICAGO When Paul Vallas ran for mayor of Chicago four years ago, it did not go well. Campaign Finance. To be effective, any plan would require access to both language and cultural translation. That reality paired with rapid population growth and the ongoing impacts of the climate crisis have left our streets in disrepair. Councilmember Debora Juarez. Here, in Increased economic opportunity leads to increases in average incomes, jobs and better housing. Residents of Minnesota's capital city are heading to the polls this fall to elect a mayor and school board members. I currently run the Community Bridge Committee to protest street violence and teach self-love. All were disrupted from learning, teaching and performing their duties over the course of the last 18 months and to this day. I am a past president of our school's parent group, I have worked with our teachers union, I have served on district committees, I have formed a group to advocate for a citywide charter school moratorium and more. I reflect our community and the children and families we serve. This will free up some resources, but not nearly enough. WebCandidate Filing. Continuing to create a pipeline of success for staff of color is crucial. New projects not approved by the city, I furthermore support creating local construction jobs, permanent jobs and skills development to be made available exclusively to the community as part of the final development agreement. The citizens assess the danger and appropriate staff is sent. We now have various offices that have been deemed as a conflict of interest and we believe that transparency is not being upheld at the city and county level, by way of merged family units controlling our city. WebLeague of Women Voters/St. There are over 34,000 students and over 3,000 employees in SPPS. Menu. I like his phrasing, Investor in Chief. 25 N. 21st Ave. W. Among the many strategies our city can engage in to support this vision, the prospect of developing rent stabilization for our residents is intriguing. In St. Paul, voters will make two big decisions: Who will lead the city as mayor and will the city set a 3 percent cap on rent increases. Infrastructure spending has been deferred by presiding mayors for decades now. Families of color make up the majority of students leaving the district today. Tuesday 10-12-21 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm As your next mayor, I will work to restore law and order in our city because our community cannot have the jobs we want and the quality of life we deserve without safe streets first. Lisa Clemons Minneapolis Community Activist. It siphons out tax dollars that can be used to repair roads, fund schools, etc. A curfew allows us to reduce crime, identify our youth that may need protective services, counseling or access to resources. For the current rent control measure on the ballot, I believe it is too restrictive. Feb 27, 2023, 7:44am PST. We must protect the right of our workers to strike and bargain for the most equitable possible outcomes. Students do better when they receive more individual attention at school. White Bear Lake isnt St I'm asking for another four years as mayor to build on the work we've done, because if anyone in our city is in crisis, then we have more work to do. Our strategy is to take data collected about what families want and need in their school community and deliver on the promise of a world-class education. When we saw the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness during the pandemic rise to nearly 400, our community-first informed efforts led to a 90% decrease in people sheltering outdoors. From a lack of culturally responsive support resources to not meeting federal mandates, there's more work to be done (that must be done in collaboration with families and community) to ensure our ELL students are receiving the services they are legally entitled to. Most citizens, particularly in high-crime areas, want this. Show Search Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas takes a photo with a supporter I can't emphasize enough how important it is that folks citywide are aware of the potential ramifications and outcomes of this initiative that is quickly moving forward with extremely limited public engagement. SPPS continues to have persistent inequities in our elementary schools. Currently, only $1.5 million from the $88.2 million directed to high quality education is allocated to college and career readiness. I believe our schools should meet the individual needs of all of our students and set them up for success whatever success means for them. Add to this, leadership's refusal to curtail ever-rising small- and medium-sized criminal behavior, which then often escalates into serious crime. Already, St. Paulites have been If there are areas that become increasingly contentious, I feel it is important for a board member to start to play a more active role. I'm running to help build the schools our students deserve. I'd like to see a robust partnership between SPPS and colleges, employers, organizations and institutions that can provide direct opportunities for students who were impacted by COVID-19. I would work intentionally to maintain open communication with our bargaining units, work with district leadership to promote good-faith bargaining and attend bargaining sessions as I'm able to keep myself informed about the process. League of Women Voters/St. I am prepared to serve the people and families of St. Paul. CHICAGO - Candidate for mayor Paul Vallas is reacting after Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched an election-eve attack on him. Minneapolis Mayor. We would immediately cross-train positions that can be handled by other administrative offices, which would reduce city funding. Once an area improves, the rental property owner sells to a new homeowner. That's why over the past four years, we've expanded investments in downtown mill and overlay and sidewalks, developed the first-ever dedicated bikeway funding and redeveloped Ayd Mill Road. In a world of COVID-19, a school board member must consider social distancing, masking, testing and vaccinations as much as enrollment, quality staffing, academic outcomes and career and college readiness. Do we need more police officers and ShotSpotter technology to do it? Since my first days as a City Council member, I've dedicated my work to that end, developing the ordinances that would go on to establish our Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department in St. Paul. Also, we need to access and utilize new and advanced technology such as ShotSpotter so that we can make sure we are taking all measures to prevent gun violence. This may require some ordinance changes. We are in a different place and time than we were one year ago, two years ago, and we must move forward with the times. 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