Article #11 in a Series >>>>> Departments and Offices of the Minneapolis Public Schools >>>>> Government Relations

As I complete the advanced final draft of my new book, Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools:  Current Condition, Future Prospect, I am conducting a final review for updating mission statements and staff composition.  I have in the last days and weeks listed and made comments on many offices and departments, with an emphasis on staff members and effectiveness.  In the current series of articles I will be emphasizing departmental function and mission statements, but I will give staff listing updates as I deem useful to my readers and will give staff composition in cases for which I have not previously done so.

 

Government Relations is an independent office at the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), with the key governmental lobbyist reporting directly to Superintendent Ed Graff and working closely with Chief of Staff Suzanne Kelly.  Reports on legislative initiatives are made from time to time at meetings of the MPS Board of Education.

 

The MPS Lobbyist key to MPS Government Relations is Josh Downham. 

 

Here I give information for MPS Government Relations, drawn from the pertinent portal on the MPS website.

 

MPS Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations represents the interests of the Minneapolis Public Schools before: The Minnesota Legislature; The Executive branch, from the Governor's office to Executive agencies; and Minnesota's Congressional delegation. Our goal: Secure the public policy reforms and resources needed to ensure that all students learn. Get Involved: The MPS Parent Legislative Action Committee is open to all parents and community members.  Email Josh Downham to get involved. The 2018 legislative session begins on February 20, 2018.  Even numbered sessions typically focus on bonding for infrastructure projects, non-budget policy changes and biennial budget adjustments to ensure the state budget is balanced.  While lawmakers and the Governor are not focused on providing additional funding for schools, it is important that parents and staff stay engaged.  The draft 2018 Minneapolis Schools' legislative agenda focuses on a few key issues: Ensuring policy makers understand the impacts of underfunding special education services Advocating for Teacher Retirement Association reforms that ensure the long term viability of the fund without taking additional resources from classrooms Supporting investments in families to create greater economic stability Promoting strategic investments in proven programs such as early middle college and teacher residency and Grow Your Own programs. To learn more, you may review the 2018 legislative agenda, memo to MPS Board and the board resolution.       Minneapolis Schools' 2018 Legislative Agenda   More Information   Parent Legislative Action Committee   Contact   Josh Downham Lobbyist   Email: Josh.Downham@mpls.k12.mn.us   Phone:  612-418-4756