Looking Toward Publication of My New Book: >Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools: Currrent Condition, Future Prospect< >>>>> Efficacy of MPS Board of Education Standing Committees

>>>>>          A Note to My Readers

I am most likely going to take the late winter and spring months of this year of 2018 to conduct additional strands of research for my already substantially complete new book, Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools:  Current Condition, Future Prospect---  bringing the book to final form for publication by the end of May 2018.  


There will be a long chapter on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education.  As you scroll on down the articles of this blog, you will discern many accounts of school board meetings and observations on the current members who compose the MPS Board of Education.  In articles to come, I will share additional thoughts and information with you, pertinent to many aspects of the board and members of the board.  These matters will include the functions, member composition, and efficacy of the official standing committees and other sub-organizations of the board.  As preparation for reading future articles on these matters, please review this information that gives the standing committees, caucuses, and other sub-organizations of the MPS Board of Education.  

This information is drawn from the School Board portal at the MPS website:

The information at the portal is as follows:

To more properly serve the students and community, the Board of Education is permitted to designate committees to conduct preparatory work on matters that will be considered by the Board of Education as a whole.  Each Committee is comprised of members of the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education and District Staff. 

All Committee Meetings are open to the public.


Community Engagement Committee

Members: KerryJo Felder

Finance Committee

Committee Members: Jenny Arneson (Chair),  Siad Ali, KerryJo Felder, Bob Walser, Nelson Inz, CFO Ibrahima Diop

The Purpose of the Finance Committee is to:

>>>>>    Identify the Information the Board needs to Receive on a Regular Basis Concerning the Budgeted vs. Actual Financial Data of the District

>>>>>    Define and Monitor the Board's Role and Decision Calendar for the Board Discussions on the District's Budget and the Role of the Citizens


>>>>>    Identify Oversee Preparation of the Annual Budget and Quarterly Financial Statements

>>>>>    Support Staff in Addressing Issues Raised by the Annual Audit

The Finance Committee will include the Board Treasurer, who will serve as Chair, and at least one more Board member.  The Chief Financial Officer will staff the committee.  These members may recruit financial experts to also serve on the Finance Committee.

Policy Committee

Committee Members: Kim Ellison (Chair), Rebecca Gagnon, Ira Jourdain, Don Samuels, Nelson Inz, Amy Moore, Nan Miller

The Board Standing Committee on Policies is established under Board Policy 8120. The role of the Committee is to:

>>>>>    Oversee the review of all policies adopted by the board

>>>>>    Review recommended board action on those policies not specifically in the purview of another Board Standing Committee.

>>>>>    Evaluate suggestions for board policy that come from board members and the public. It may recommend development of policies for adoption. 

>>>>>    Establish priorities in policy review and adoption, in consultation with the Superintendent and the administration, and sets review goals and schedules.

ELL Caucus

Caucus Members: Siad Ali (Chair), Kim Ellison, Rebecca Gagnon

Audit Committee

Committee Members: Jenny Arneson, Rebecca Gagnon, Ira Jourdain, Bob Walser, Nelson, Inz, CFO Ibrahima Diop


The Purpose of the Audit Committee is to act in an advisory capacity to assist the Board of Directors with overseeing its responsibilities over the financial operations of the District, relating to the annual external audit of the District's financial statements and overseeing the District's internal audit activities. 

The duties of the committee are:

>>>>>    Oversee the process for selecting external auditors and recommending appointment to the Board.

>>>>>    Meet with district officers, external and internal auditors, as necessary.

>>>>>    Review the annual financial statements and other sections of the annual report and consider whether they are complete, consistent with information known to committee members, and reflect appropriate accounting principles.

>>>>>    Understand the scope of internal and external auditors’ review of internal control over financial reporting, and obtain reports on significant findings and recommendations, together with management’s responses.

>>>>>    On an as needed basis, meet separately with the internal auditor to discuss any matters that the committee or internal auditor believes should be discussed privately.

>>>>>    Review the process for communicating the code of conduct to district personnel, and for monitoring compliance therewith.

>>>>>    Regularly report to the Board of Directors about committee activities, issues, and related recommendations. 

Superintendent Evaluation Committee

2017 Committee Members: Siad Ali, Jenny Arneson, Rebecca Gagnon, Bob Walser, Nelson Inz

2020 Advisory Committee

Board Representative: Kim Ellison

Committee Purpose:

>>>>>    Meet District goals of community partnership in the District’s mission and to satisfy the requirements of Minnesota Statutes § 120B.11 Subd. 3: “School District Process for Reviewing Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement; Striving for the World’s Best Workforce.”