September 25, 2003 - The shooting at Rocori High School in Cold Spring is being felt in schools throughout Minnesota. Officials say Wednesday's attack is the state's first fatal shooting carried out by a student inside a school. State law requires school districts to prepare for such violence. School leaders have been busy reviewing those plans today and trying reassure their students. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
September 23, 2003 - Former Republican legislative leader and corporate executive David Jennings will become the next Superintendent of schools in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis school board picked Jennings today Tuesday to replace Carol Johnson, who resigned to become superintendent in Memphis, Tennessee. Board members say they didn't need to look further, because Jennings has the leadership skills and political knowhow they need. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
September 23, 2003 -
September 18, 2003 -
September 17, 2003 - Minneapolis school district officials are hearing lots of complaints about a plan to build a new kindergarten through eighth school to serve neighborhoods near the Mississippi River. Parents and community activists are particularly concerned about the proposed closing of the area's current middle school. Following a public hearing on the school realignment plan Tuesday night, several school board members said they'll probably need more time to study their options. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
September 11, 2003 -
September 10, 2003 -
September 10, 2003 - Two money-saving initiatives in the Minneapolis school district are drawing criticism. Hundreds of teachers demonstrated at Tuesday's school board meeting and accused district officials of illegally withholding pay increases. School board member are also facing tough questions from some parents, who are upset over a plan to close or realign several schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
September 8, 2003 - As of last week, the Minneapolis school district has begun relying on city park police to provide a law enforcement presence in some school buildings. The five-year agreement with the Minneapolis Park Board provides 17 liaison officers at a cost of 800-thousand dollars per year. It also ends a 38-year relationship with the city's police department. The move coaxed one veteran police officer out of retirement. Michael Ganley (rhymes with manly) worked for 32 years in the Minneapolis Police Department. He recently joined the park police because he wanted a chance to work with kids. Ganley now divides his time among three north side schools: Harrison, Jordan Park and Nellie Stone Johnson. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire caught up with Ganley last week at Jordan Park, where he reflected on his new job...
September 4, 2003 - St. Paul public schools will follow a new statewide Pledge of Allegiance mandate. School board members met in special session last Wednesday night to consider waiving the requirement this year. But the board quickly adjourned without taking action. The move means individual St. Paul schools will no longer have a choice to not recite the pledge. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...