ANOKA, Minn. — The state's largest school district could essentially shut down in a matter of months if the Anoka-Hennepin school board doesn't approve its budget by July 1.
One of its members, Matt Audette, is threatening a showdown if the district doesn't get rid of a laundry list of programs around gender and racial equity. Audette wrote a lengthy Facebook post on April 12 that, in part, says, "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."
This will get hashed out for the first time at a school board meeting next week.
Anoka-Hennepin is the largest school district in the state and serves nearly 40,000 students.
"For me, it's more than just expressing my originality, it's having a sense of community here, and not being judged by it, is really affirming," said sophomore Trinny Mogaka.
She says her sense of inclusivity feels jeopardized after learning of Audette's post. Audette also wrote that members Linda Hoekman and Zach Arco won't vote in favor of the 2024-25 budget and have several identified items as policies and practices that must come to an end.
There are six board members and without a majority, the budget won't pass. State law requires districts approve a budget by July 1. If that doesn't happen, a district can't spend any money and it will essentially cease operations — including teacher salaries and health insurance to grounds keeping and construction projects.
"I think they're just feeling so uncertain about where this is coming from," said Jalen Giles, who teaches 9th and 10th grade social studies in the district. Per new state standards, that now includes ethnic studies — something Audette wrote he also won't support.
The district, though, cites several laws that require it include some of the programs he objects to that also include any idea of equity and anti-racism, social-emotional learning, sharing pronouns and any displays other than the American flag.
"They're wondering, are we allowed to learn this, are we allowed to do this," said Giles of her students. "There's really nothing you can say to comfort them because it's just very uncertain."
The district also said it's in the process of developing a contingency plan, calling Audette's list of issues an impossible timeline to manage on deadline. If the budget doesn't pass, it will be unlike anything that has happened in the state before.
Board members Hoeckman and Arco are backed by the conservative group called the Minnesota Parents Alliance that says education is at a crossroads on its website. It vows that every parent who wants to get involved in their child's education has every resource they need to do so successfully, helping them organize and change the trajectory.
"But that's not what the purpose is," said Giles. "The lasting impact on what is being communicated to our diverse families in this district is that you're insignificant, you don't get a voice."
"It's 2024 and we're taking five steps back when we should be evolving and moving forward," said Mogaka.
KARE 11 reached out to all the board members and no one responded.
Although the two co-chairs, Arco and Kacy Deschene, released a statement via the district spokesperson on Wednesday that reads, "The school board is committed to a shared leadership model that ensures all voices on the board are heard as part of the decision making process. In alignment with that commitment, school board members discussed the items shared in a social media post by Director Audette at a public meeting on April 4. The board continues to work through ongoing conversations with plans to discuss again at a public meeting on April 23. No decisions have been made or direction given involving these matters. The School Board remains committed to our shared leadership model, working together to find a path forward."
The district is grappling with a budget deficit and has to make some $25 million in reductions over the next two years.
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