Students, Parents Crowd Anoka-Hennepin School Board Meeting Amid Budget Stalemate
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board is facing a stalemate in its budget discussions for the 2024-2025 school year.
The six-member body needs a four-person majority to approve the budget for the state’s largest school district. Based on differences in board member opinions, it appears a consensus could be difficult to come by.
According to a Facebook post by Anoka-Hennepin Board Member Matt Audette, he and two other board members — Zach Arco and Linda Hokeman — plan to oppose the budget if it includes funding for an extensive list of procedures and programs.
“It is time to put a stop to the spreading of divisive, one-sided views, training, and learning that go against the values and beliefs of many families, students, and staff in our community,” Audette wrote in a Facebook post.
Audette says the trio opposes teaching and training related to race and gender identify issues. Issues including “systemic racism,” the “view that the United States is fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist,” and “culturally-responsive” teaching are listed for potential defunding in the lengthy post.
The three board members also oppose a state-required curriculum standard and want to change district discipline procedures.
Teachers, Students Weigh In on Anoka-Hennepin Budget
Parents, students and teachers crowded the board’s Monday, April 22, meeting to discuss the matter. Public comment stretched over about two hours.
Speakers that oppose teaching and race and gender issues said they believe classroom instruction should focus on academics.
“I’ll make it simple: I want to learn ABCs and 1, 2, 3s, not BLMs and LGBs,” said Coon Rapids High School student Joshua Wruck. “Kids need to be kids, and students need to learn how to think for themselves and not what to think.”
District parent Tiffany Strabala concurred.
“The three board members who are in favor of this are doing what their constituents elected them to do,” she said. ” I want to encourage the board to come together and find common ground. Keep the social justice issues out of the classroom and focus on academics.”
Meanwhile, others urged the board to continue offering these programs and classes.
“I’m also concerned for our LGBTQ students and staff,” said district parent Brett Ortler. “As this district well knows, district policy can be a matter of life and death for such students. Put simply, these policies might cost lives if enacted.”
A group of students marched outside the meeting in support of the district’s diversity policies.
Likewise, some students that spoke said they were worried about the impact the decision could have on minority groups.
“What these members are proposing will destroy this district,” said Coral Weber, a Coon Rapids High School junior. “If we do [get rid of this teaching and these policies], no one will feel safe. They are attempting to take away our voices.”
An overhead view of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board. Board Member Matt Audette wrote in a Facebook post that three of the board’s six members will oppose the budget unless teaching and training related to social justice and gender identity issues are removed.
Potential Shutdown
If the board does not approve a budget by July 1, the district says it could result in a shutdown.
District officials are still developing an exacting report on the consequences of the potential shutdown.
Based on currently available information, district staff members wouldn’t be paid, all summer school programming would be shutdown, district construction projects would be stopped, and the use of district-owned facilities and fields would be suspended.
The district’s 2024-2025 budget is expected to include a $5.2 million reduction.
