Article #5 in a Multi-Article Series >>>>> Candidates Running for Seats on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education in the 3 November 2026 General Election

Shannon Gibney

Shannon Gibney was uncontested in the 11 August Primary for the District 3 seat on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education and proceeds to the Tuesday, 3 November 2026, general election as the only candidate. 

The following is information obtained mostly from Gibney's website: 

 

Who I Am

 

I’m Shannon Gibney.

 

I am a writer, professor and organizer who has lived in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of South Minneapolis for almost 25 years.

Both of my kids are making their way through Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS): from Bancroft

Elementary to Andersen Middle School to South High. 

An active member of Minneapolis Families for Public Schools (MFPS), I fought for enforceable smaller class sizes and smaller SPED and ELL caseloads alongside other parents throughout the district during last fall's MFE contract deliberations.

During the ICE invasion, I was the MFPS sanctuary school lead at South High, helping coordinate and establish vital food, rental, and transportation mutual aid, as well as school patrols.

Shannon Gibney is an award-winning author of books of all kinds — from novels to anthologies to essays to picture books. She writes for adults, children, and everyone in-between .

The through-line in all her work is stories that may have previously gone untold. Sometimes these perspectives have remained hidden because the speakers have not had an outlet for their stories; other times, the stories carry darkness and fear that we prefer to look away from.

The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be (Dutton, 2023), exemplifies this approach, as does Gibney’s novel, Dream Country (Dutton, 2018), which Kirkus describes as “a necessary reckoning of tensions within the African diaspora — an introduction to its brokenness and a place to start healing.”

Recommendation for Reading 

David Backer has a fascinating new book out, As Public As Possible: Radical Finance for America's Public Schools (The New Press, 2025). It details the opaque funding landscape for public schools, and provides new frameworks and possibilities to think about dismantling long-standing inequities. 

I just started it, and am really enjoying it. Later this spring and summer, I'll discuss it in book club with some of my friends at Minneapolis Families for Public Schools.

Schools need revenue, and that revenue needs to be spent well.

“The insight shouldn't sound new or groundbreaking. It's pretty obvious. But in practice these two things get separated: The people calling for revenue are different from the people calling for accountability. To move forward, we have to think of structure and agency, revenue and accountability, together rather than separately, recognizing that both revenue and accountability are necessary for good schools.”

“For instance, the right and center insist that the problem with schools isn't money: it's accountability. This accountability imperative ignores a shameful scarcity (like the fact that companies building and owning stadiums don't have to pay property taxes that would otherwise go to the schools and lays all the blame on principals). The way to make schools better, according to this argument, is not to spend more money but rather to hire and fire the right people.”

"...According to the revenue imperative, schools need money to do well. In other words, schools that have more money are better schools. Education is a human-resource-intensive process, and to do it well you have to spend. Schools can't do more with less. Given less, they do less. Further, calling for accountability without properly funding the school system blames the underfunded victims for the imperative of the larger, structural forces over which they have no control. To attribute failure to school systems without providing the resources for success is to set them up to fail. Thus, the revenue imperative says fund the schools," (pg. 29-30)

 

Endorsements

 

Individuals

 

……………………………………………………………….

 

US House Representative—

District 5

Ilhan Omar

 

Public schools are the bedrock of our democracy. I have the utmost confidence in Shannon’s ability to fight for ours. Her leadership in South Minneapolis schools before and during the ICE invasion was a boon to communities throughout District 3. I’m eager to see her apply this same level of care, commitment and knowledge to this new position, for the benefit of all our kids and families.

 

……………………………………………………………….

 

Minnesota State Senator—SD63

Zaynab Mohamed

 

Shannon will make an excellent school board director because of her dedication to equity and ability to solve complex problems that need creative and collaborative solutions. This is why I am enthusiastically throwing my support behind her in the race for the D3 seat.

 

……………………………………………………………….

 

Hennepin County Commissioner

Angela Conley

 

I am thrilled that Shannon is running for the D3 school board seat! She is dedicated to finding solutions to fully fund special education, arts programming, and everything our MPS kids and families need to thrive in our public schools. This is the leadership we need right now.

 

……………………………………………………………….

 

 

Minneapolis City Council Member

Soren Stevenson

 

Shannon understands the critical role that public schools play in our city, and will fight for them. Whether it's making sure our kids are learning essential skills, maintaining a protective presence at school communities vulnerable to ICE, or pushing the state legislature to plug funding gaps, I know that Shannon has our back.

 

……………………………………………………………….

 

Minneapolis City Council Member

Robin Wonsley

 

I would be delighted to have an ally like Shannon on the school board: someone who knows the needs and experiences of our MPS students and families so well, someone who isn't afraid to speak the truth when it's necessary, someone who will work towards fully funding our schools.

 

We have to fight for every ounce of our democracy right now, and Shannon is a fighter.

 

……………………………………………………………….

 

Samantha Sencer-Mura

Minnesota State Representative-SD63A

 

Shannon is a deeply respected community leader and champion for public education who we can count on. As a parent organizer, she has pushed for strong learning and work environments for MPS kids and staff, and I’m excited to see her build on this work as a board member. Shannon also brings needed gifts of creativity and storytelling to this role. We need someone who can lead by telling the story of our district—centering our brilliant students and the benefit to our entire community if we truly invest in them. Shannon is that leader.

 

 

 

Organizations

 

·       Minneapolis Families for Public Education

 

·       Take Action Minnesota

 

·       Minneapolis Federation of Teachers

 

·       Minnesota State Council (SEIU)

 

·       AFL/CIO Minneapolis Regional Federation of Labor

 

·       Minnesota Senior Caucus

 

 

Shannon is an organizer, parent, and community leader who understands that public schools are the heart of our communities. She has shown up for educators, students, and families, and she’s ready to bring that leadership to the school board. This is a moment where our schools need people who are grounded, connected, and ready to lead with care and accountability.

 

• MFE 59

 

 

Article #4 in a Multi-Article Series >>>>> Candidates Running for Seats on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education in the 3 November 2026 General Election

Michael Baskins        (At-Large)

Michael Baskins garnered the fourth most votes (9,518 [7.5%) in the 11 August Primary for the two available at-large seats on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board or Education.

The following is information obtained mostly from Baskins's website: 

Letter to the Community

 

Hello Neighbors,

 

I wanted to explain my decision to run for Minneapolis School Board- At Large. This was not a decision taken lightly or rashly. I have been increasingly concerned about the performance of the current School Board and MPS Administration. As I watched local school board meetings over the past few years, I’ve seen a School Board that routinely fails in its oversight duties of the Administration. I’ve seen a School Board that asks no questions and has no feedback for the Administration routinely during their meetings. I’ve seen a School Board asleep at the wheel. I was further dismayed when year after year the MPS Board has failed to formulate a long term strategic plan for the financial stability of the district. I’ve seen a lack of enthusiasm to come up with financial solutions. In 2024 the School Board promised to do a financial analysis on the benefits of closing or consolidating the many half empty schools in the district. We are still waiting for this report. For many, including myself, we have had enough of this School Board that is asleep at the wheel. 

 

We’ve recently seen MPS schools operating at 10% of student capacity but being renovated for millions of dollars. We’ve seen the whole financial department fired while the Administration and School Board have “no comment” and local whistleblowers suggest massive financial negligence or worse. We’ve seen Math and Reading proficiency continue to decline over the last 10 years and remaining persistently near the bottom in the State. We’ve seen mass MPS layoffs and rehiring every few years. We’ve seen MPS relying on short term financing and hail marry financing from the state, local, or millage levels to keep the system going.

 

Parents and would-be parents like myself should be worried about the trajectory of MPS. And of course, all of these problems cannot be blamed on a single person or decision. But in order to make progress toward a better tomorrow we need a School Board willing to ask the hard questions and be 100% transparent and accountable to the public. We need School Board that doesn’t accept that MPS will always be an underachieving district but a Board that believes that Minneapolis can be a top performing school district and works tirelessly to make it so. 

 

I care deeply about the City of Minneapolis and the immense duty that Public Schools are entrusted with to educate and shape our youth. I am worried that the Administration is not living up to this sacred duty.

 

I would be honored if you voted for me to represent you as Minneapolis School Board Member- At Large. Know that I will ask the hard questions and always be transparent and accountable with you the student, parents, and residents of our GREAT city.

 

Vision

 

Ensure all Decisions are Student Centered, Data Driven

Student academic achievement and character development are THE MISSION and always the top priority. I will be laser focused on ensuring a data driven approach to looking at student achievement both in and outside the classroom. Data is not just numbers but conversations with students, parents, and teachers to understand what is and is not working.

 

Improve the Working Environment for Our Teachers

 

Teachers are our most important resource to accomplish our mission. Investing in retaining our high quality teachers by maintaining a stable workforce, a competitive pay package, and accountability for administrator performance is critical. Attracting new talent into the district through competitive incentives and a supportive work culture needs to be tracked and improved.

 

Provide Transparency in All District Matters with the Public

 

MPS has faced a number of scandals recently including the laying off of the entire Finance Department, allegations of financial negligence or worse, however the School Board has not communicated at all with the public on this topic. It is critical that the School Board be transparent with the public.

 

Ensure Long Term Strategic Planning

 

It is critical to return MPS to a long term strategic planning framework instead of short term financial maneuvers. MPS has had a chaotic environment with yearly layoffs and large changes to the student experience yearly due to the short term planning of the current administration. Clear and transparent strategic goals and a framework to achieve year over year improvements in student performance and student enrollment for the district are needed. The School Board and administration should be held accountable to hitting these targets.

 

Provide Accountability and Oversight of All Administrative Decisions

 

Ask the hard questions and demand accountability from MPS administration. The School Board should carefully review major program changes, capital investments, staffing decisions, and strategic plans to ensure they serve students and support long-term success. Too often, the current Board accepts administrative decisions without sufficient scrutiny or public explanation. Promised financial studies have gone unfinished or unpublished, including analysis of the costs and potential savings associated with operating 30–40% more school capacity than enrollment requires. Greater oversight means asking difficult questions, requiring evidence, and providing the public with clear explanations when major decisions are made.

 

Ensure Financially Responsible Decision Making

 

MPS needs a long-term plan to stabilize its finances. The district has repeatedly faced large deficits, layoffs, and requests for additional taxpayer funding without fully pursuing available cost savings. The School Board should complete and publicly release its analysis of excess school capacity and other potential savings, while carefully evaluating major expenditures and investments. The district has also left more than $10 million in available state funding unclaimed due to administrative failures. New taxes and teacher layoffs should be last resorts, not substitutes for finding efficiencies and addressing structural problems. Minneapolis families deserve transparency, responsible budgeting, and a School Board willing to make difficult financial decisions.

 

Prioritize All Students Needs

 

All students deserve coursework and instruction that is tailored to their needs. That includes English as a Second language students, Special Needs Students, and High Performing students. MPS students deserve opportunities in both their core and elective coursework that is tailored to their educational needs. Having these options that suit your child are what retains students in our district and keeps MPS from further losing students to charter or suburban.

 

Parent Engagement

 

Ensure Parents are engaged in providing feedback and that this feedback is taken seriously. Perform surveys across the district to learn about district experiences and implement corrections.

 

Schools as Community Centers

 

Ensure that MPS Schools are neighborhood hubs for after school activities, including arts and sports. Ensure that MPS provides competitive after school activities as compared with our suburban peers and invest in these programs to retain students. Further these resources should be utilized by the broader neighborhood and community where appropriate to make the schools hubs for community engagement.

 

 

Meet Michael

 

About Michael Baskins

 

I am excited to represent your voices on the Minneapolis School Board as a fierce advocate for residents who are demanding transparency and accountability.

 

Growing up in the Metro Detroit region of Michigan, I have always been deeply engaged with local politics and grassroots organizing. Over the years, I organized for DFL candidates and served as a leader with Voters Not Politicians—a highly influential citizen-led anti-gerrymandering organization.

 

My engineering career eventually brought me to Minneapolis in 2018. Upon arrival, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the city and the deep civic passion of its people. It didn’t take long for me to decide to make Minneapolis my permanent home—a place where I could truly plant roots and where I hope to one day raise a family of my own.

 

With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I have worked as an automotive and aerospace designer for the last ten years. Having engineered systems for major companies like Polaris and Honeywell, my day-to-day experience requires intense collaboration, relationship building, and balancing complex tradeoffs to reach a final solution that all stakeholders can support.

 

I intend to bring that exact same methodical, focused, and data-driven approach to my leadership on the School Board to ensure our district operates efficiently, transparently, and effectively for our students.

Article #3 in a Multi-Article Series >>>>> Candidates Running for Seats on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education in the 3 November 2026 General Election

Abdul Abdi     (District 1)

Abdul Abdi and opponent Ben Lattimore were the only two candidates who filed for the Tuesday, 11 August 2026 primary, and thus will proceed to the Tuesday, 3 November 2026, general election.

The following is information obtained mostly from Abdi's website: 

 

Priorities

 

• Strong academics and student outcomes
• Opportunities for Every Student’s Future
• Safe, welcoming schools
• Responsible & Transparent Budgeting that Prioritizes Classrooms

Putting Students First

Strengthening Our Schools.

 

I’m Abdul Abdi, running for re-election to put students first—ensuring every student, has the support, opportunities, and strong schools they deserve—while working in partnership with families and educators across Minneapolis Public Schools District 1, grounded in integrity, accountability, and results.

 

Meet Abdul

 

Parent, community advocate, and current Minneapolis Public Schools Board Director for District 1—focused on student success, strong schools, and accountable leadership.

 

About Abdul Abdi

 

My name is Abdul Abdi.

 

I am a parent, community advocate, and the current Minneapolis Public Schools Board Director representing District 1. I bring strong experience in public service, financial leadership, and community engagement, and I am committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

 

I currently serve as Chair of the Finance Committee, where I work to strengthen classrooms, support educators, and expand student programs. As a lifelong advocate and a parent, I understand firsthand the importance of safe, inclusive, and high-quality public schools.

 

I am running for re-election to continue improving student achievement, listening to families, supporting our educators, and delivering results for our students and neighborhoods.

 

Why I’m Running Again

 

I am running for re-election to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education and the opportunities to thrive in school and beyond.

 

Our schools are at the heart of our neighborhoods, and Minneapolis is strongest when we come together to support them. When families, educators, and community leaders work side by side, our students and communities grow stronger.

 

I remain committed to listening to families, supporting our educators, and working collaboratively to ensure every student feels valued, challenged, and prepared for the future.

 

Endorsements

 

Elected Officials

 

State Senator

Doron Clark

 

City Council President

Elliott Payne

 

State Representative

Sydney Jordan

 

Park Board Commissioner

Dan Engelhart

 

Organizations

 

MFE

Minneapolis Federation of Educators

 

MRLF

Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation

 

Minesota State Council

SEIU

 

Article #2 in a Multi-Article Series >>>>> Candidates Running for Seats on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education in the 3 November 2026 General Election

Collin Beachy         (At-Large)

Collin Beachy garnered the second most votes (43,276 [34.0%) in the 11 August Primary for the two available at-large seats on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board or Education.

The following is information obtained mostly from Beachy's website: 

 

My Vision: Strong Public Schools using the ABCD Model 

Accountability 

 

Families, students, staff, and taxpayers deserve transparency, responsible stewardship, and systems that work effectively

 

In a complex system like a school district, issues can and do occur. What matters is how leadership responds. That means addressing problems directly, ensuring they are corrected, and putting stronger systems in place so they do not happen again.

 

Accountability is more than assigning blame; it is defined by ownership, transparency, and follow-through. By prioritizing these values, we build essential trust with our students, families, staff, and the community. 

 

Belonging

 

Every student deserves to fell seen, supported, and valued in their school community.

 

Belonging is not just about being present, it is about being connected. Students learn best when they feel safe, respected, and part of a community that believes in them.

This means creating environments where all students—regardless of background—have access to the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

Consistency

 

Students thrive when expectations, programming, and support systems are stable and reliable across the district. These principles guide my work as Board Chair and shape my vision for Minneapolis Public Schools becoming a true destination district for families.Students and families deserve stability. 

 

Consistency means clear expectations, reliable systems, and follow-through at every level of the organization. It ensures that decisions are aligned, communication is clear, and schools can focus on teaching and learning without unnecessary disruption.

 

Strong systems create strong outcomes. When we are consistent, we build confidence across our entire district.

Destination District

 

Minneapolis Public Schools should be a place where families choose to enroll and are proud to stay. Becoming a destination district starts with getting the fundamentals right: strong instruction, supportive school environments, and systems that function effectively.

This goal also requires strong partnerships. We must work collaboratively with families, educators, and our unions to build trust and move our schools forward together. When these relationships are grounded in respect and shared purpose, our students benefit.

While we have faced challenges, we are actively addressing them by strengthening systems, improving operations, and ensuring resources reach students where they are needed most. Becoming a destination district does not happen overnight; it requires consistent, responsible decisions and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

 

 

Letter on Website

 

Dear Friends, 

 

For more than two decades, I’ve dedicated my career to public education and student support.

 

Before serving as Chair of the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education, I worked directly with students and families in classrooms, behavioral support programs, and student services roles across Minnesota.

I’m not someone who entered education through politics.

I entered this work because I believe every student deserves adults who will advocate for them, support them, and refuse to give up on them.

As a special education teacher working primarily with students receiving Emotional and Behavioral Disorder (EBD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) services, I’ve spent my career

helping young people navigate challenges while building systems of support around them. That experience shapes how I lead today.

I believe strong public schools require accountability, collaboration, stability, and a clear vision for the future — especially during difficult moments.

That’s the work I remain committed to doing for Minneapolis students, families, and educators every day. That's why I'm running, and I'd be honored to have your support.

Thank you. 

Quick Facts Pertinent to Collin Beachy Given on Website

 

Quick Facts About Me: 

 

• Minneapolis Public Schools Board Chair 
• Elected Member At-Large 2022 
• Special Education Teacher 
• 20+ Years in Education 
• Advocate for Student Mental Health Supports 
• Minneapolis Resident for 20+ Years
• Supporter of Strong Public Schools & Labor Partnerships
• Grew up in Staples, Minnesota
• M.A. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN
• B.A. Elementary Education & Coaching, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

 

 

After the murder of George Floyd and the Minneapolis educators strike, I felt a growing responsibility to do more than serve students inside my classroom alone. 

 

Like many educators, I saw firsthand the challenges facing our schools — staffing shortages, student mental health needs, financial instability, and growing divisions within public education. 

 

I also saw the incredible dedication of our educators, support staff, and families. I decided to run for school board because I believed then as I do now, that Minneapolis needs leaders who understood both the realities inside our classrooms and the responsibility of governing a large public institution. 

Since being elected in 2022, I’ve worked to help stabilize our district, strengthen accountability, supported students and staff, and guided Minneapolis Public Schools through some of the most significant challenges in its history.

 

During my tenure as Board Chair, I have consistently advocated for increased investment in public education and greater transparency regarding financial pressures. That's why I am actively engaged in community advocacy, which is essential to ensuring equity in education.

 

United Leadership

Strong Collaboration & 

Mutual Trust

 

Effective school boards lead as a united team, each from their respective roles, with strong collaboration and mutual trust. 

 

We can:

• Panel a commission of students, educators, administration, board and community members tasked with creating measures to reduce the chances of future strikes.
• Create more concrete working relationships with parents and community stakeholders.
• Restore public trust in public schools by increasing transparency among the administration and board.

 

A Clear Vision & High Expectations

  

Fully Fund our Schools

 

Our schools aren't being fully funded by the state and federal governments as promised. Due to the fact that we live in a relatively blue part of the state, we must focus on building alliances with school board members in outstate Minnesota where funding is less readily available.

•  Special education funding from state and federal sources could reduce the district's budget burden that currently has to cover the shortfall.
• Request independent audits of MPS' budget and spending.
• Ensure charter and magnet schools are required to provide the same level of services that our public schools deliver.
• Provide pay equity and longevity for our Adult Educators.

 

Accountability & Focus

 

Transparency & Oversight

 

We are in a budget crisis and there are no easy solutions.  However, when that sentence is spoken, how many of us immediately turn to “budget crisis”. We can create the community schools we desire.  

 

We can:

 

• Removing corporate mentality from district offices and reintroducing a community-oriented approach.
• Vetting the flow of information coming from the administration.  
• Enact more oversight of the administration and their cabinet.
• Ensure our budgetary priorities are ones that more reflect our values as a community and city.

 

Equitable Programming

 

Shared Belief & Values

 

Our curriculums, programming, and professional developments can provide culturally responsive teaching methods that reflect and respect the intersectionality of every one of our students. 

Implementing culturally responsive methods will:

 

• Center student voices and concerns
• Honor BIPOC experiences 
• Bring visibility to Indigenous People and traditions 
• Protect transgender and non-binary students
• Provide opportunities for students to connect their learning to their own lives and how they can use that information to take action

 

Recruit & Retain BIPOC Staff

 

Strengthen Contractual Protections

 

Over the past several years, MPS has been losing not only BIPOC families, but also their teachers.  Our

 

BIPOC staff now have Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist (ABAR) protections embedded into their contracts.  This is a good first step towards addressing the needs of our current BIPOC staff as well as becoming more responsive to the specific complexities of teaching in our society and the toll it can take on educators of color.  

 

A Commitment to Aligning & Sustaining Resources:

 

RECRUITMENT

• Dismantle the current process in how job descriptions are created and interviews are conducted.
• Strengthen protections from 'last-in-first-out' and seniority layoffs.
• Where are we looking to find BIPOC educators?  We can grow our own!  Who do you know that could make a positive influence on the lives of our students?

 

 

RETENTION

 

Once employed, our BIPOC staff need support.  Some initial steps we can take are:

 

• Increase the number of ABAR mentors.  Two mentors covering the entire district is nowhere near sufficient.
• Provide affinity spaces for BIPOC educators to brainstorm, collaborate, and receive emotional support.
• Increase opportunities for BIPOC support staff and community members to become teachers. 

 

 

Endorsements

 

Organizations

 

Minnesota State Council

Minnesota DFL Senior Caucus

DFL Minneapolis

MFT 59 (Minneapolis Federation of Teachers) 59

Stonewall DFL

 

Individuals

 

Abdul Abdi - Minneapolis School Board Member, District 1

 

Greta Callahan - Minneapolis School Board Member, District 6

 

Kim Ellison - Minneapolis School Board, Member-At-Large

 

Samantha Sencer-Mura, Minnesota House of Representatives, (63A, DFL)

 

Elliott Payne - Minneapolis City Council, Ward 1

 

Jason Chavez - Minneapolis City Council, Ward 9

 

Aurin Chowdhury - Minneapolis City Council, Ward 12

 

Sydney Jordan, Minnesota House of Representatives, (60A, DFL)

 

Dan Englehart - Commissioner Park Board, District 1

 

Zaynab Mohamed - Minnesota Senate, (63 DFL)

 

Jamison Whiting - Minneapolis City Council, Ward 11

 

Emma Greenman - Minnesota House of Representatives, (63B, DFL)