Southwest Minneapolis supplied more than its share of school board candidates when all members were elected citywide.
So it stands to reason that the race for the first member to represent southwest in a district seat is drawing the most candidates so far of any school contest this year.
Alex Phung, an attorney for Cargill, announced first. Now he's been joined by three more candidates. In contrast, only one candidate has emerged to date for the two other district seats to be filled this year.
Also in the southwest field are Washburn and Barton parent Tracine Asberry, Lyndale parent David Weingartner and Curtis Johnson, whose five-year-old will enter Burroughs in the fall.
Kingfield's Asberry brings the credential of a doctorate in critical pedagogy, taught in Minneapolis schools at W. Harry Davis Academy, and has also done college teaching. She said she's been considering a board run since 2009. She's interested in family involvement in schools.
Also running is David Weingartner of East Harriet , who was active in the district's debate over reshaping district attendance patterns . "We're moving in the right direction but I see a lot of critical issues facing the district," he said, citing district finances and school capacity in southwest as two. He said he wants the district to be more accountability-driven. He's a financial advisor.
Johnson couldn't be reached for comment but announced his candidacy on Facebook. According to his web site, he is the son of educators and has coached at Washburn.
Asberry and Weiingartner said they're seeking DFL endorsement at the May 19 DFL endorsing convention, as has Phung. All four candidates appear to be relative political neophytes.
