I ran for the school board because I was tired of business, as usual. I was tired of parents being ignored. I wanted to see change. It’s not looking good. One of the reasons, I stand beside KerryJo is because she is one of us. She knows us because, she is US. The first time I saw KerryJo Felder, she was campaigning for Obama. She walked into the Alumni room at North, while the North High Advisory was holding a planning meeting to save North from closing. She was full of energy and ideas, when she heard our mission. She has been involved with North and other northside schools since then. Through the years, she has proved that she is tenacious about the Northside, the schools and the community. There’s no doubt that she’s a Hell-Raiser. However, a Warrior is what we need, now more than ever; if we want to see our kids experience academic success. We often, don’t see eye to eye, but I know where her heart is. Two perspectives are better than one. I’ve been waiting a long time, for a warrior I could fight beside. A warrior that doesn’t become a part of the get-along gang, once they are at any of the tables. Not a lot of warriors, at other tables either. When I find one, I try to hang on to them. Some of these board members should be ashamed. The outgoing Chairman said, at the end of his term, that MPS is the Titanic and going down, even those in life boats won’t survive. Could not get those words or that visual out of my head. Just, can’t. Yet, he is still on the board. The incoming Chair was quoted as saying we will lose 1/3 of our students with CDD. Parents made it clear how they felt, but it fell on the deaf ears of those they gave their vote. Oh, well, what can we do I have problems with fatalism. Why not just open the doors, and say LEAVE or resign and let someone else do it. How many times do I have to hear the District repeat, we’re the lowest of the low over here?? I’m an optimist. How much bang are you getting for your Buck (tax dollars). I see votes like money and wouldn’t vote for anyone I would not hand my money to. There’s more at stake than just the school board race.
KerryJo has been continuously fighting, making noise, irritating people but never giving up on our traumatized, marginalized families, citywide. The multiple layers of trauma our kids and families have been going through, long before the virus hit. If there are people concerned about who she works for, can you answer this question? Are you defined by your job title? Is that who you are in your personal hours. If you are, that’s not a job that’s control. We can’t let the district keep their knees on our necks. Yup, I said it – they hold us down, not up. Looking for more warriors, but for now, I’ll settle for this one. As tired as she gets, she does not give up or cave in.
She Walks, the Talk!
She has continuously provided resources and food to the community. Once the virus hit and the schools closed, every Friday, KerryJo has been out, personally, delivering food to the community. Everything from eggs and milk, to fruits and vegetables and lots of meat choices and healthy treats for the kiddies. This includes young families, grandmas raising grandchildren and a regular stop at the Senior Buildings. They can’t get out to the food giveaways. She started doing this long before, she even thought about running for the board, way back in 2009. Since then, she proven to be a powerful advocate for our students and schools. I wholeheartedly, support KerryJo Felder. Get ‘em girl!
Lynne Crockett – Northside’s largest education advocate
Endorsements
Kerry Jo is endorsed by parents, community members and the MN DFL Party, Insight News, MFT 59, Teamsters 120, Stonewall DFL, SEIU State Council, Womenwinning, and the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation.
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Kerry Jo is a MPS parent who believes the district belongs to its parents and students. She will work hard to lift your voice in creating solutions that address local disparities and make schools you are proud to call your own.
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