A budget impasse on diversity, equity and inclusion has been resolved. But, the Anoka-Hennepin school board remains split 3 to 3 on DEI issues and things boiled over at a recent protest and board meeting in Anoka.
It was a mild spring night in late April, when parents, students and teachers from across the A-H district assembled outside the Sandburg Center to protest proposed cuts in DEI programs.
“I’m here to support my students,” said Shanel Galea, a teacher at Champlin Park HS.
“This school board is now starting to recognize the power of the marginalized communities and because of that they’re starting to put down these laws on them,” a male student said to a couple hundred listeners. “That is so harmful.”
“It’s very impressive to see how quickly they were able to organize and mobilize,” Galea said. “It’s a cause that is close to their hearts and close to our community as well.”
The student-led gathering numbered in the hundreds. It was emotional and personal as speakers made their case for DEI.
“We have the duty to fight for our freedom,” a female student shouted to the crowd. “We have the duty to win.”
“You spend one day in a classroom with these kids and your heart will change,” Galea said. “It’s not necessarily about labels or certain types of groups and things that have been somewhat politicized. It’s more so seeing people for who they are.”
Said another female speaker to the cheering group: “These people who are trying to erase our stories and erase our experiences from this curriculum should either get with the program, or get out.”
“In the past at my school I have been bullied for my identity to the point where I almost failed my sophomore year,” a trans student told the crowd. “The only reason I am alive today is because of the support from teachers at my school.”
“Putting people in boxes”
Most of these youngsters from the trans or minority communities, believe they are being targeted for just being themselves.
Said Galea: “When you start marginalizing people, putting people in boxes and deciding whose voice can be elevated and whose can’t – that is when we run into problems historically speaking.”
After the protest, the gathering moved inside, for a school board meeting that produced strong opinions from both sides of the spectrum as approximately 70 people stated their case.
Below are some of the speakers comments:
- Tiffany Strabala, parent: “The three board members who are in favor of this are doing what there constituents elected them to do. 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.”
- Ishmael Kanever, Blaine HS student: “These affinity groups cultivate a sense of family within their ranks. I can say personally from my experience, as a leader of my school’s black student union, I felt like I’ve been able to find people who have a shared lived experience which I think is very valuable for a student’s cognitive development. In conclusion I urge the board to reconsider the proposed removal of diversity and equity initiatives from our school. By preserving and strengthening these initiatives we can affirm our commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable and enriching educational environment for all students, and understand that diversity and equity is not a part of Anoka-Hennepin – it is Anoka-Hennepin.”
- Amelia Eric, Coon Rapids HS student: “The conservative members of the school board will have you believe that the key to the budget deficit is cutting programs for students by students. Students need these programs to have a fulfilling and safe space for education. This budget discrimination is clear, using the façade of a budget deficit to push a political agenda that attacks student’s identities and livelihoods. I ask you, what money does taking down cultural flags save? How much money does not respecting identities earn? Equity does not mean unfairness or inequality. Equity means viewing students as individuals instead of test scores.”
- Kofi Montzka, parent: “I have been fighting against the hopeless ideologies in this budget that I believe harm all kids – especially kids of color for some time. The curriculum says that institutions, including schools, are intrinsically racist. It removes any reason for kids of color to try. The result is – for kids of color – it deprives them of the agency that they need to reach their fullest potential and for white kids it results in guilt, resentment or avoidance. I spoke to the legislature last year asking them not to pass this ethnic studies curriculum but they did. So now the school board’s in a real tough position.”
- Shannon Fletcher, parent: “I agree with removing these divisive ideologies from the classroom. These ideologies are divisive, racist, sexist and gender confused. These things are causing more distractions and also teach racial biases and views that one race is an oppressor to all. We’re a proud Native American and LGBT family. I don’t want my kids taught they are oppressed beings. This is damaging to their self esteem. I teach them they can do anything they set their mind to with some hard work. I’ve heard of minority kids giving white kids their Venmo accounts for reparations – this is absolutely ridiculous.”
Teachers union wants conservative members off the board
Val Holthus, president of the Anoka Hennepin teachers union, even went so far as to say the three conservative members – Zach Arco, Matt Audette and Linda Hoekman – have no business being on the board.
“Threatening to impede the ability of a district to operate and provide students with an education over an ideological tirade undermines every aspect of the work that board members are supposed to engage in,” Holthus said. “This behavior must stop for the sake of all students in ISD 11. The list is nothing more than an extremist rant that flies in the face of our laws, facts, data and basic human decency. It is clear this list of demands is a transparent, partisan attempt to hold the school district, and more despicably students, hostage in a partisan wear, Our students deserve an education they can access regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, language abilities, disability status or any other identity. The representative assembly of Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota local 7007, representing every building and 90 percent of teachers, have unanimously passed a vote of no confidence and call for the resignations of members Arco, Audette and Hoekman.”
“As I observe tonight’s crowd, the presence of so many students confirms my suspicion that the spreading of misinformation is inciting some misplaced activism, Hokeman said. “How I wish the students had shown their outrage that so many of our students are woefully unprepared for their future. Maybe they should express some outrage that the achievement gap is evidence that our minority students are not receiving the quality education they deserve.”
Fellow board member Jeff Simon’s viewpoint is the polar opposite of Hoekman’s.
“I disagree with the notion that are students are not being educated for success,” Simon said. I think you could see out students tonight how they presented themselves, whether you agree with their message or not. That is proof that these students are well prepared, well spoken nd presented very well.”
DEI is clearly a lightning rod topic, but there were no incidents at the school board meeting or the protest.
