Chapter Thirty-Four >>>>> Office of Government Relations

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

 

The key MPS lobbyist at MPS Government relations is josh Downham.

 

Here I give information for MPS Government Relations, drawn from the relevant MPS website:

 

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MPS Offive of Government Relations

 

The Office of Government relations represents the interests of the Minneapolis Public Schools before

 

>>>>>    the Minnesota legislature;

>>>>>    the Minnesota executive branch, from the governor’s office to executive agencies;

>>>>>    the Minnesota Congressional delegation.

 

Our goal: 

 

>>>>>  secure 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 2020 Legislative session begins in February 2020.  Even numbered sessions typically focus on bonding and 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 the schools, it is important that parents and staff are engaged.  The draft 2020 Minneapolis Schools legislative agend focuses on a few key issues:

 

>>>>>  ensuring policy makers understand the effects of underfunding special education services MPS Parent legislative Action Committee is open to all parents and community members;

 

>>>>>  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;  and

                                                            

>>>>>  promoting strategic investments to proven programs such as early childhood, teacher residency, and Grow Your Own programs.

 

To learn more, you may review the 2020 legislative agenda, memo to MPS Board, and the board resolution:

 

Minneapolis Schools’ 2018 Legislative Agenda

 

More information at the website may be found for the Parent Legislative Action Committee.

 

Contact: 

 

Josh Downham

Lobbyist

Josh.downham@mpls.k12.mn.us

612-418-4756