Minneapolis school board, black leaders look to make talk action

The finger-pointing, raised voices, suspicion and outright distrust reached a tipping point that called desperately for a resolution. Now, a group of black community leaders and the Minneapolis public schools are poised to sign an agreement that commits them to search together for those solutions.

But will such an agreement to jointly create new teaching strategies and culturally specific curriculum for black students -- among other initiatives -- succeed?

"We don't have the luxury to play around anymore," said Kinshasha Kambui, a lead organizer of the African American Mobilization for Education, a collective of local organizations. "We have to be equal partners."

Tonight, the school board is expected to approve the covenant's concept, then sign the document alongside community leaders, possibly later this summer. It is a critical step after black school and community leaders decided last year to try easing persistent tensions.

The agreement bears some resemblance to one in 2006 with the American Indian community.

It's hoped that this partnership could help bring more parental involvement, boost student attendance, lower suspension rates and slice into that incessant achievement gap in which whites make twice as much progress as blacks, who make up almost half the district's student population.

A more remote possibility offered is that a new partnership forged between the district and the black community could bring students back. Blacks make up more than 60 percent of the 2,000 city students voluntarily bused to suburban schools.

Community members want changes in place when school starts in September, while the district will presumably be a bit more deliberate in making changes. But throw in the fact that the superintendent, the district's chief academic officer and student support chief also are black, in addition to three school board members, and there's a strong belief something will get done.

But with stinging past accusations by some blacks that the district has been disrespectful and has continuously shut them out of important decisions, including the bitterly recalled closing of four North Side schools last year, will such a collaboration work?

"A lot of people are looking at us with a last bit of hope, saying, 'We're going to give you one last shot,'" Board Member Chris Stewart said. "And if we blow this, then what?"

This is not a token gesture, both sides claim. Several meetings have occurred between the two related to the covenant or other issues.

The gatherings, uncomfortable at times, are followed by phone calls and e-mails at all hours.

Superintendent Bill Green said he likes the early versions of the covenant and appreciates what he's heard in meetings, even if it's harsh.

"We don't want to be defensive and exclusionary," Green said. "It's clear that changes need to be made."

Stewart said the community's portion of the covenant appears solid and now the district must add its perspective. With the constant threat of more black children failing, he said, all differences must be set aside.

"The goals we have before us with African-American children are so high and substantial, I don't see how we can't make it happen without their support," Stewart said.

Last June, the acrimony between some in the black community and the district rose again after the board -- in a room full of hostile parents and students -- voted to close those four North Side schools.

She used measured tones to cite the statistics she knows by heart: Sixty-nine percent of black students did not pass the state reading test last year; 78 percent failed the math portion; 73 percent of students suspended last year were black, and 52 percent of all district special education students are black.

Instead of sounding accusatory, Kambui used the words of "collaboration," "cooperation," "commitment" and "shared accountability" to promote the compact with the district.

The presentation appeared well-received by the board.

Board Member Tom Madden said he was initially put off when reading the covenant's opening. But as he continued, the urgency for a partnership became clear.

"This fits into the framework with the district's strategic plan," Madden said. "I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and start working on the details."

"That was a big step in terms of gaining trust," said English, also the director at The City Inc., a district alternative school. "Now comes the specifics. If we can get this done in a matter of weeks instead of taking six months to a year, it will send a very strong message that we're really serious."

Kambui said the district and the community must be motivated and show a "sincere will" to help black students succeed.

"If not, that will be revealed rather quickly," she said.