Stop, Listen and (Hopefully) Learn
Independence Party Demands Answers before Minneapolis School Board Spends $38 Million

Independence Party chair Jim Moore today announced his intention to seek answers from the Minneapolis School Board on why they are rushing to spend $25-38 million in precious education resources to build a new school to replace Sanford Middle School which was recently renovated at a cost of $6 million to Minnesota taxpayers.

"The citizens of Minneapolis, especially the citizens of the affected area, have been tuned out during this process. The only questions they are asking are 'Why?' and 'What problem are we trying to solve?'" said Moore. "It appears that the School District is rushing to push through a secretly constructed solution that is contrary to the wishes of those affected." Ironically, the cost of this project parallels the size of the budget shortfall that led the board to renege on the promise of the passionately popular referendum to keep class sizes small. The Independence Party suggests that everyone keep in mind that the number one question that has to be answered is this: Does the change benefit the children of Minneapolis?"

While the Independence Party recognizes the need for the board to address the budget ramifications of declining enrollment, it requests that they keep the following concerns in mind:

• How will current "open enrollment" students from the Phillips and other surrounding neighbors be affected by the change?
• If declining enrollment is the issue, why are we building more classrooms?
• Will this project fuel public perception of wasteful school spending decisions?
• Will the decision to abandon the small, historically classic schools lead parents to seek alternatives outside the Minneapolis Public School System;
• Could the estimated $25-$38 million expenditure be better directed toward providing adequate learning materials and enhanced curriculum options that students and parents crave?

Added Moore, "The Independence Party is weighing in on this issue because for too long the Republican Party has simply abandoned the inner city; and for the nearly the same length of time the DFL has stopped asking the tough questions and stopped listening to their constituents. If we want a strong state, we need the core cities to be strong; and for the core cities to be strong we need to be sure that our children are being educated and that the parents of those children are being listened to - the Independence Party is fully committed to those goals. Plus, we want to make sure the taxpayer's dollars are well spent."

Released: 9/4/03