THE MPS COMMUNICATOR
Issue #3, December 7, 2007

Welcome to the third edition of The MPS Communicator, a newsletter
providing information about the talks between Minneapolis Public
Schools (MPS) and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT)
regarding the 2007 - 2009 teachers' contract.

In this issue, we address the challenges the district is currently
facing and how Minneapolis Public Schools must change the way we
conduct business.

It's no secret that MPS is facing challenges on many levels. The
achievement gap is among the widest in the nation. Many families
have lost faith in our district and have chosen to send their
children to other area schools. MPS student enrollment has declined
25 percent in the last six years. Consequently, 12,000 fewer
students are being educated in MPS today than during the 2001-2002
school year. For every student who leaves the MPS District, the
district foregoes $5000.

At the same time, the district's fixed costs – including buildings,
health care and salaries – are rising. Federal and state government
continues to impose additional responsibilities on MPS without
attendant funding. Today, MPS is facing a $13 million deficit; over
the next five years, that deficit is estimated to grow to $100
million.

MPS does have important assets. We have thousands of highly
qualified and hardworking teachers and paraprofessionals who are
dedicated to our students. We also have skilled, caring employees in
other areas of the district who support the work of MPS. Finally,
we have a committed Board of Education and District leadership.

On Tuesday, the MPS Board of Education will vote on strategic
recommendations that will help guide the district in the right
direction, both academically and financially. There is not a single
simple solution in this plan, but many interdependent elements woven
together. These elements – many of which are critically dependent on
changes in the teachers contract as reflected in the district's last
comprehensive contract proposal – have required, and will require,
the support and approval of teachers.

These are difficult times, and especially trying for teachers and
others who care deeply about the work they do for our district's
children. We are asking every MPS employee to share in the
responsibility for moving the plan forward. Already, central office
administrators and members of other bargaining units have made
financial concessions and staffing process modifications to their
own contracts that will help make this plan a reality.

On behalf of the District, we thank you for your interest in this
process and the future of Minneapolis Public Schools. The MPS
Communicator will address other important topics in future issues.
Topic suggestions may be directed to The MPS Communicator in care of
communicator@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Pam Costain
Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education Chair

Dr. Bill Green
Superintendent, Minneapolis Public Schools