The Enigmas of the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education:
Lucie Skjefte and
Abdul Abdi
Murky Aims and
Reticent Style: Lucie Skjefte
Lucie Skjefte
District 3 Member
612-814-7761
Lucie.Skjefte@mpls.k12.mn.us
Term:
November 2024-2027
Lucie Skjefte is of Anishinaabe heritage, is an
accomplished indigenous designer, marketer, and storyteller. She is also Director of Operations at Mni
Sota Fund, a Native organization dedicated to advancing the economic
empowerment of American Indian communities. Skjefte received a Bachelor of Arts
in Advertising from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and dual honors
degrees in Graphic and Web Media from Minneapolis College.
Gary Marvin
Davison Critique of Kim Ellison as a Member of the Minneapolis Public Schools
Board of Education
Skjefte was appointed to her seat on the Board
in November 2024, upon the resignation of Fathia Feerayarre. Skjefte advocates for Native American
students, but she has authored no initiatives that would likely improve
academic performance for American Indians attending the district schools. Further, Skjefte has been just as ineffective
as to matters of overhaul academic progress, Transformation, and building usage
s have the other members of this Board.
Low-Key
Enigma: Abdul Abdi
Abdul Abdi, Treasurer
District 1
Member
612-668-0447
Abdul.Abdi@mpls.k12.mn.us
Term:
2023-2027
Abdul Abdi is the representative for District
1, covering Northeast and parts of Southeast Minneapolis. He received his
bachelor's degree in computer science from Metropolitan State University in
2002 and has a number of certifications in business, information technology,
and leadership. Abdi has engaged in community
organizing and Advocacy for the Somali community and served on the Minneapolis
Public Schools District Parent Advisory Council. His children have attended the Northeast Minneapolis
schools of Waite Park Elementary, Pillsbury Elementary, Northeast Middle, and Edison
High School.
Gary Marvin
Davison Critique of Abdul Abdi as a Member of the Minneapolis Public Schools
Board of Education
Abdi has moments of thoughtfulness and shows
an interest in improving the academic program, but he has not been any more effective
in practical terms than the other Board members. With a great deal of help from Collin Beachy
and, especially, Assistant to the Superintendent to the Board Ryan Strack, Abdi
oversees efficient Finance Committee meetings.
But, as Treasurer and head of the Finance
Committee, Abdi undermined the quality of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget by not
pushing for the closing and repurposing of schools and ignoring information
that I provided as to questionable claims of staff cuts in the central
administration at the Davis Center.
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