Osseo schools cutting ties with PEG diversity consultant

Osseo school board members voted to end the district's contract with a racial-consulting group in a special meeting Tuesday night.

In a 4-2 vote, the board approved its achievement and integration plan and budget, which would end the district's five-year-old relationship with Pacific Educational Group (PEG) after the 2017-18 school year.

The school board reached a stalemate over the future of its contract with PEG on March 21 when voting on whether to move forward with its achievement and integration plan. Community members, teachers and parents urged the board to continue its relationship with the consulting group.

Over the years, the district has relied on PEG for its professional development services. The district now plans to develop more of its own equity work. In 2016-17, the district contracted with PEG for $152,000.

In its revised budget approved Tuesday, the district proposed reducing its spending for PEG's services from $73,100 to $48,250 for the 2017-18 school year.

Beatrice Dupuy • 612-673-1707