Advocacy

The Kenny Parent Foundation will keep this page updated with ways in which parents can help advocate for Kenny, for Minneapolis Public Schools, and for public schools across the state.

Action Items

March 25 Update:

Dear Kenny Families,

First, thank you to all who sent emails and made phone calls on behalf of our school and for showing support for our public comments at the school board meeting earlier this month.

After sending out our last letter, we received data we had requested from the district on class size projections for all 52 schools in MPS, and were shocked to learn that Kenny and Howe are the only schools in the entire district with a class size projection of 37. Additionally, Kenny is the only school slated to have a split classroom over the cap.

We know that this budget news has some families questioning if MPS is the best place for their kids. We want to reiterate that this budget is still in the preliminary stages, and that things could change between now and June when the board votes on it. There is still time for us, as a community, to express our concerns and have an impact on how things look next year. The school board meets again to discuss the budget on Tuesday, March 26th, and we are hoping to get another email and phone blast out before that meeting. We believe the focus should be on the Superintendent and the school board members, as they have a say in whether to pass this current budget proposal. 

Even if you do not have an incoming 4th or 5th grader for next year, we need your support. Please help us in fighting for manageable class sizes for the upper grades and the Kenny students and families we currently have.

—KPF Officers

March 25th Letter Template and Contact Info

Past Events

There is a school board meeting open to the public on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30pm at the Davis Center, with an MFT rally at 4:45pm outside the Davis Center. Details below:

“Our Students Deserve More” Rally

Tuesday, March 12, 4:45pm

Davis Center, 1250 W. Broadway

Prior to Tuesday’s school board meeting, MFT59 (Minneapolis Federation of Teachers) has planned a community rally outside the Davis Center. Join MFT59, community organizations, neighborhood associations, and faith leaders as they demand that the district invest in students, staff, and schools. 

School Board Meeting:

Tuesday, March 12, 5:30pm

Davis Center, 1250 W. Broadway

KPF chair, Mari Melby, has secured a spot to speak during the public comments portion of the meeting. Kenny families in attendance are invited to join her in support while she makes her comment. This is likely to be a heavily attended school board meeting. There will be seats available in the meeting room, as well as an overflow space where the meeting will be live streamed. If you would like to watch at home, use the link below. 

Agenda: Prior to the meeting, agenda and materials can be found here. (https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1807) 

Public Comment: The School Board will take public comments during monthly regular business meetings following the process found here. (https://board.mpls.k12.mn.us/comment)

Watch Live: This meeting will be livestreamed on cable channel 15 and on https://mps.eduvision.tv/LiveEvents.

On March 8, MPS Lobbyist Josh Downham shared this Action Alert from the MPS Legislative Action Committee

On March 5, Budget Allocations were shared with Site Council and KPF. Following that meeting, KPF sent out the following: