Roosevelt parents mobilize, demand budget equity

When Jeanette Wiedemeier Bower got an early copy of the proposed budget for Roosevelt High School for the 2015-2016 school year, the document was "like candy" to the mother who has a master's degree in public policy.

The parent booster scoured the data, made spread sheets and tallied the numbers. She didn't like what she saw. It appeared to her, and others, that other district schools, particularly South and Washburn, were going to fare much better than the school where her daughter, Arianna, is a sophomore.

In early calculations, it appeared that while South's budget was going to increase $3 million for the year, for example, Roosevelt's discretionary spending, the amount the school can control and spend, was pegged for a $248,000 cut.

On March 25, Roosevelt Principal Michael Bradley warned that the school's "ambitious growth plan," which included expanding arts education and Spanish immersion curriculum and hiring a theater teacher, faced trouble. Budget constraints could force them to make up for any expansions by eliminating three teachers and three support staff.

As word spread, scores of parents and teachers got mad and went into action. About 80 of them showed up for last week's Minneapolis school board meeting, demanding answers. Students who have heard anecdotes about how good students have it in other schools began to plan a walkout, scheduled for Friday.

Dissatisfied parents point out that Roosevelt has a higher percentage of students of color, and students living in poverty, than some of the other schools that seem to be getting more resources, and they question how that fits the district's goal of equity.

Kieran Knutson's son, Sasha, attends the Spanish immersion program, which was faced with a potential cut.

When asked to discuss the budget statistics the Roosevelt parents had accumulated, district officials agreed to an interview Wednesday. They eventually declined to comment, except to say that "a wide number of factors" figure in the budget, and that the district "values their feedback and interest, and we are reviewing the situation at Roosevelt."

At the school board meeting, Michael Goar, interim superintendent, began by apologizing to the Roosevelt parents. Then Michael Thomas, chief of schools, met with the group separately to hear their complaints.

Subsequent letters from Bradley to parents (who believe they actually come from the district) tweaked the numbers and promised a better mix of funding, a "plan that balances the reality of our funding level against the needs of our student body." Bradley also said the school projected 100 more new students next year, which would bring more resources.

After the meeting, parents were told that Roosevelt is getting two full-time positions back, accounting for an additional $180,000, bringing the discretionary spending gap down to $68,000.

Bower said the parents are not satisfied.

Parents say that Roosevelt switched to the longer, seven-period day several years ago and didn't get any more money for it. Now other schools that are doing it are getting compensated for the additional hours.

"How many times do we have to get kicked?" asked Bower.

Bower says that the district hasn't been used to a lot of parent participation from Roosevelt over the years, but that has changed recently. "Five years ago we got a new principal and a new vision," where kids are expected to excel, she said. "He's getting these kids to believe in themselves."

Knutson said the board and district seemed to listen to them. "Until it's in the budget, we don't know if it was sincere or just politics," he said.

"What I'm optimistic about is that we have been able to mobilize and get our voices heard," said Knutson, noting the final budget vote is not until June, when school is out.

jtevlin@startribune.com • 612-673-1702