Mara Klecker
Reporter
Suburban K-12 schoolsA native South Dakotan and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's journalism college, Klecker has always called the Midwest home. She's worked on journalism projects in Ecuador, Nicaragua and Nepal. In her free time, she can be found reading, hiking or planning her next international trip. She lives in the west metro with her husband and two dogs.
Latest from Mara Klecker
Voters kept saying no to tax hikes in a Minnesota school district. These moms stepped up.
Cardinals Rising in Annandale aims to build community support for the district amid skepticism of public schools, budgets and culture wars.
April 12, 2025
Minnesota school districts warn of budget cuts, teacher layoffs
Districts say they are struggling amid extra budget uncertainty this year, and some, like Robbinsdale, have already sent layoff notices to staff.
April 4, 2025
One Minnesota middle school did away with A-F letter grades. The students have questions.
St. Anthony-New Brighton and Spring Lake Park schools are among the Minnesota districts moving to “proficiency-based” grading to try to emphasize learning.
February 15, 2025
Eden Prairie High School moves graduation date to accommodate Muslim holiday
The date of Eid al-Adha changes. This year, it falls in early June when schools are trying to schedule commencement ceremonies.
February 7, 2025
Robbinsdale school board member resigns just before board vote on her disciplinary pay cut
Sharon Brooks was censured twice; her departure is the latest disruption in a district facing a budget crunch amid board dysfunction.
February 5, 2025
These Minnesota teachers found ways for students to talk politics in class
Classroom rules and lessons on understanding multiple perspectives are helping foster respectful discourse among history and civics students.
February 3, 2025
Lakeville school board votes to remove ‘inclusive poster series’
The hours-long, emotional board meeting on Tuesday night ended with a vote for a new poster series.
January 29, 2025
Lakeville school board to discuss removing ‘inclusive poster series’ that prompted lawsuit
The posters that include the sayings “We Are Stronger Together” and “Black Lives Matter” were created by the district with student support in 2021. A lawsuit over them is ongoing.
January 28, 2025
Events to mark Martin Luther King Day scheduled in the Twin Cities, Mankato, St. Cloud
A new documentary in Mankato features archival audio of the civil rights leader’s speech there in 1961.
January 18, 2025
Amid state talk of more charter school accountability, Eagan OKs financing for school expansion
The City Council’s debate over conduit financing for Great Oaks Academy could be a preview of charter school discussion in the upcoming legislative session.
December 26, 2024
What’s behind the school ratings on Zillow and other real estate websites?
A home in a highly rated Minnesota school district might fetch $50,000 more. But some say those outside ratings shouldn’t matter so much.
December 26, 2024
What stays in the school library? Amid parent challenges, one district uses review site to flag books
St. Francis district relies on Book Looks, which has concerned parent volunteers rate books for “objectionable material.”
December 18, 2024
