Recent content from Anthony Lonetree
Ousted St. Paul schools finance chief sues district, alleging retaliation
Marie Schrul and a colleague, Curtis Mahanay, claim under the state's whistleblower act that they were let go because they objected to misuse of funds.
Minneapolis school board turns to coin flip to fill vacant District 3 seat
Lucie Skjefte prevailed over Fatimah Hussein after the two tied in ranked-choice voting and then in a live vote in the bid to fill the seat vacated by Faheema Feerayarre.
St. Paul voters move to even-year elections, reject child care subsidies
Property taxes would have increased to offset child care costs for low-income families. But opponents said too few would be helped and that the cost was too high.
Minneapolis voters approve $20M school tax hike; Ellison, Callahan win school board races
In school board races, Greta Callahan defeated Lara Bergman for an open seat, and Kim Ellison fended off a challenge from Shayla Owodunni.
St. Paul tutors say it takes a community to help kids read, and they're volunteering to prove it
Students at East African Elementary Magnet School in Frogtown are embracing the help — with a majority of them being English language learners.
What's it like to be a public schools police officer? We walked the halls with one.
Rochester's 'Officer Al' Arzola went from putting drug dealers in jail to helping middle-schoolers stay on the right path.
What's at stake in Minneapolis school board races? Prompt action likely amid financial struggles
The current board has yet to take on the dicey issues of school closings and mergers, but the need to balance a challenging 2025-26 budget will come quickly next year.
Minnesota high schoolers have expanded access to college classes via this program, but must act this month
State lawmakers passed a new Oct. 30 deadline for students to take courses on campus and earn free college credits via the Postsecondary Enrollment Options program.
Minneapolis Foundation invests $1 million in school district efforts to strengthen student literacy
Minneapolis Public Schools is hiring reading specialists after the foundation committed $1 million to strengthen instruction during 2024-25 school year.
Why Minneapolis Public Schools is asking voters for a tax increase to pay for technology
A $20-million-a-year-levy increase on the November ballot will take pressure off the district's general fund, but it's not likely to prevent another budget gap in 2024-25.
As federal pandemic funds expire, Minneapolis and St. Paul schools seeking help
Minneapolis is asking voters to back a levy increase in November while St. Paul points to success of literacy program once funded by COVID aid.
Minneapolis school board sets out to fill vacant District 3 seat
Application process and public interviews have been set after the departure of first-term board member Faheema Feerayarre.
This Twin Cities school is locking up cellphones. How's it working out?
Hill-Murray students are surrendering their devices to Yondr pouches during the entire class day. They're adjusting.
7 Minnesota schools win National Blue Ribbon honors
Schools were nominated by state education officials for academic achievement, efforts to close achievement gaps, or success in both categories.
Minneapolis school board member resigns, with seat to be filled later by board appointment
Faheema Feerayarre was elected in 2022 to the District 3 seat and began serving in January 2023.
St. Paul schools ask public: What do you want in the next superintendent?
State's second-largest school system announces community engagement chances to aid in the search for a permanent replacement for Joe Gothard, who left in May.
Why were COVID air filter units removed from Minneapolis Public Schools — and what about in St. Paul?
Both school districts were able to tap pandemic relief money to improve air quality for students and teachers, and also have approached maintenance similarly in the past.
Cellphone bans and a focus on attendance: What's in store for Minnesota students this year
Tuesday was the first day of school for many students across the state as class work continues on reading and math instruction amid stagnant test scores. There will also be expanded cultural curriculum offerings.
Minnesota school test scores are out. Here's what the newest data show.
This year's test results follow a legislative call to change how reading is taught, but the training of teachers is a work in progress.
What to know about cellphone bans as new school year nears
Cellphone bans at elementary and middle schools face little resistance as the new school year approaches, but teachers and students say life can be more nuanced in high school.
What voters should know about local Twin Cities races on the primary ballot
The primary Tuesday isn't just for sorting out partisan contests. Minnesota voters will also narrow the field of candidates in some county, city and school board races.
Minneapolis schools agree to resolve Title IX complaints over several girls sports
Parents alleged high school softball players, in particular, have been at a competitive disadvantage.
New Minnesota laws take effect Aug. 1. Here's what you need to know.
The new regulations that kick in Thursday include the stiffening of penalties dealing with swatting and doxxing, plus children's car seat usage.
St. Paul deepens cultural curriculum offerings with plans for Afrocentric school
Benjamin E. Mays elementary school will house a program dedicated to Black history and culture in 2025-26, as the district adds more diverse offerings to compete with charter schools.
Anoka-Hennepin school board stalls again over ethnic studies in history curriculum
The politically divided board, which overcame an impasse to approve a budget in June, also recently failed to approve new physics curriculum.
From Black Lives Matter signs to Pride flags, Minnesota school decorations caught in DEI debate
What teachers can display still faces scrutiny, as the Lakeville district fights a legal challenge over Black Lives Matter posters and other districts face questions over Pride flags.
Minneapolis schools prioritized librarians. St. Paul is cutting them at the elementary level.
Both school districts say their library book circulation is up, and St. Paul will keep librarians in upper grades, but elementary libraries will be staffed by teaching assistants.
Minnesota owes group of special-education students additional services after schooling cut short
Settlement filed in U.S. District Court in May; steps now underway to notify eligible students.
Minnesota schools faced multimillion-dollar budget problems. Here's what they cut.
St. Paul and Minneapolis seek to overcome the loss of federal COVID aid while they and other districts battle the effects of inflation and other cost increases.
Activists rally on behalf of transgender Hopkins student after alleged attack
The school district and the Minnetonka police are investigating "an act of violence," with police adding that its probe involves a "possible hate crime."
A St. Paul program helped at-risk kids experience college. Now it's leaving campus.
Gateway to College is set to move to former East Side elementary school building after St. Paul College decided to no longer host the program it helped launch in 2015-16.
Classroom cellphone rules and a ban on book bans: What school bills passed in Minnesota
Extra funding was in short supply in 2024, but the Legislature approved some new policies, gave financial help to future teachers and offered districts some relief from literacy program training deadlines.
State offers help to students struggling with FAFSA forms
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education will provide $15,000 grants to two advocacy groups to assist students after glitches marred the rollout of a new federal financial aid form.
A St. Paul school was in trouble, but its principal turned it around by listening to parents
Principal Fatima Lawson recently won an award for her work at Highwood Hills Elementary, which adopted a polytechnic approach at the urging of Somali, Karen and Hispanic families.
Minneapolis teachers voting on bigger raises, lower special-ed workloads in contract
The two-year deal would provide 4% and 5% salary increases over two years; school support staff members also are voting on a pact of their own.
Showdown over DEI issues won't lead to Anoka-Hennepin shutdown, superintendent says
One member of a conservative bloc that objected to DEI policies now says he will approve a budget in June. But the district still has to work through several diversity concerns.
Showdown over DEI programs threatens Anoka-Hennepin schools budget
Conservative board members say they will veto the budget unless the district drops several DEI measures, spurring protests.
Minnesota lawmakers look to curtail student cellphone use in school
Legislators hope to give cover to districts that seek greater restrictions on smartphone use in schools, especially among teens who struggle to put the devices down.
St. Paul schools superintendent's tenure ends after challenges and national accolades
Joe Gothard, who is leaving for Madison, Wis., has led Minnesota's second largest district through restructuring and the pandemic. His successor faces ongoing budget and academic issues.
Finalists named for 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
The annual honor given by the teachers union will be presented during a banquet on May 5 in St. Paul.
St. Paul Public Schools identifies cuts for coming school year
The proposed cuts include teaching jobs, an early-childhood hub and special lunch menus as the district faces expiring federal pandemic relief funds and a $107.5 million budget gap.
St. Paul Public Schools turns to old hand to fill temporary schools chief role
John Thein, best known as the former leader of the Roseville school district, will again serve as interim superintendent of the state's second-largest district.
Reporting errors, missing graduates mar Minnesota grad rate calculations
The Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts clarified reporting errors, but the episode points to ongoing needs to better collect and organize student data.
St. Catherine University names next president
Marcheta Evans, who now serves as a college chancellor in New Jersey, will be the 12th woman to lead the St. Paul institution, and its first Black president.
St. Paul school board OKs two-year teacher deal
Agreement with educators was reached less than a week before a possible strike; union members ratified the contract last week.
St. Paul schools, teachers reach tentative contract agreement, avoid strike
The tentative agreement announced Tuesday comes less than a week before a planned strike.
State lawmakers asked to help open rigorous courses to minority, low-income students
Removing barriers and encouraging students to take on challenges at school has brought recognition to Open World Learning Community in St. Paul.
St. Paul school district proposes arbitration to settle teacher contract, avert walkout
The proposal came a day after the union filed an intent to strike notice for the fourth time in as many bargaining cycles; the walkout would occur March 11, but talks continue.
St. Paul Superintendent Joe Gothard named new Madison, Wis., schools chief
Gothard, who recently was named the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year, grew up in Madison and began his career as an educator there.
St. Paul teachers set March 11 strike date as talks continue
The walkout is set for March 11 as district, union negotiators continue to meet in mediation. The district reports the two sides remain millions of dollars apart.
Minnesota teachers are winning their best pay raises in years
Suburban districts are settling contracts nearly equal in cost to the aid they received after 2023 session; legislative leaders say teacher pay has needed to grow.
St. Paul Public Schools teachers authorize strike
The vote means union leaders can choose to call a strike if they deem it necessary. A walkout would not come until March at the earliest.
State leaders enter new session indicating they may stand pat on big K-12, child care investments
Education advocates plan to push for increase in bedrock per-pupil funding formula; hope for more if February budget forecast brightens.
Minnesota school, county leaders push for plans to address chronically absent students
Education advocates plan to push for solutions at the Legislature. Meanwhile, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi has been discussing the topic with local school districts.
St. Paul superintendent named finalist for top schools job in Madison, Wis.
The move would represent a return home for Joe Gothard, who has led Minnesota's second-largest district since 2017 and is the state's current superintendent of the year.
Mankato science teacher fosters connections in school's forest
Julia Battern of Mankato East High School was recently honored with a state conservation award for her work teaching students to tackle environmental issues.
Snow days making a comeback in St. Paul Public Schools
Students will be free to set aside their iPads and enjoy sledding or other winter activities for at least two days under an agreement negotiated with the district's educators.
Court orders Minnesota landlord to stop exposing tenants to lead paint in rental homes
Progress Residential Management Services manages about 600 rental properties in the state.
St. Paul Public Schools already eyeing expansion of groundbreaking Karen language program
Hundreds of students have enrolled in the new classes and the district will expand the coursework to middle schools for the next academic year.
Next step for early learning advocates: Child-care subsidies for middle-income families
DFL lawmakers are preparing a proposal for the coming session.
Leaving class? In some Minnesota schools, students now use digital pass systems to get permission
The SmartPass system is now in place in St. Paul's secondary schools and the Lake Superior district as schools look for ways to keep students on track.
Minnesota attorney general settles with Burnsville charter school over alleged misuse of funds
Former leaders of Gateway STEM Academy were also charged in the Feeding Our Future fraud case.
St. Paul schools, union agree to contract mediation
Both sides remain far apart on potential costs.
Budget pinch looms for Minnesota schools as $1.3 billion federal COVID relief money ends
Districts across the state will have to make difficult choices when aid that propped them up during the pandemic comes to an end in 2024.
In votes over school funding, metro districts won more than greater Minnesota
Two-thirds of the districts that sought more funding for building projects or operating levies saw at least one question pass.
Voters in South Washington County, Osseo school districts back big building projects
Mankato and Rochester also were among dozens of Minnesota districts with questions on Tuesday's ballot.
Hamline University selects new president
Kathleen Murray, who starts her new job in January, served previously at Macalester College. She takes over from Fayneese Miller, who is retiring.
Minneapolis, St. Paul school districts continue to see enrollment slide
Both districts hope for signs of stabilizing enrollment in the coming years.
St. Paul Public Schools superintendent gets top state honor
Joe Gothard has been at the helm of St. Paul schools since 2017.
Minnesota schools can tap pandemic relief money to boost air quality. Are they using it?
The state says school districts have sought just $13 million in COVID pandemic relief funds so far, but districts have more projects in the works.
St. Paul residents to have voice in school district's spending decisions
The new advisory panel will also include the superintendent and three school board members.
St. Paul Public Schools, Junior Achievement North to bring professional projects to classrooms
The collaborative classroom projects will begin in the 2024-25 school year.
$2M donation from MacKenzie Scott to benefit child care in Minnesota
Little Canada-based nonprofit Think Small will use the money to work to improve child care options.
St. Paul Public Schools notifies students about winter data breach
Names and email addresses may have been accessed, the district says.
Minnesota education activists, DFLers argue ban on student restraints needs to stay
Minnesota Republicans have called for a special session to repeal the measure that prompted several law enforcement agencies to pull out of schools.
