Minnesota Senate Education Finance & Policy Committee
March 1st, 2021 @ 3pm
Chair: Sen. Chamberlain
Re: SF – 321
Dear Mr. Chair and Members, many thanks for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Idil Abdull, I am an autism mom whose son was suspended by a union-protected teacher Kelly Morris and lobbyist-protected principal Jaysen Anderson.
First, I would like to state that MacPhail offers boundless opportunities for children including those with autism. My son received music therapy when he was younger. As you may know, America is known for its music and performing arts. I mean, who does not know Michael Jackson or Bruce Springsteen. This country has produced impeccable singers and artists without a doubt.
It pains me to oppose this bill that has a fiscal note of hundreds of thousands of dollars for this reason alone. Imagine two exact (in color, race, height, weight, etc.) males walk-in into an emergency room. One has a broken leg, and one has a bleeding head. The ER doctor is ethically, morally, and professionally obligated to tend to the patient with the bleeding head.
I think giving money to MacPhail is like treating the broken leg patient while neglecting the bleeding head patient which in this case is the suspension and education gap in Minnesota, where we are often told “unfunded mandate and no money”.
I respectfully as that we fund and make suspension and education gap a funded mandate with resources that hold teachers and administrators accountable. We can no longer keep funding the broken leg while the bleeding head is ignored.
As always, I thank you for your time and hope that my testimony at least made you think and prioritize what is important in Minnesota’s education system.
Re: SF 706
While I respect and admire Sen. Nelson’s work in both education and health, I must say I am disappointed in the sheer amount of money she is asking for this bill, while decreasing and eliminating suspensions and the education gap has been neglected.
We cannot keep saying no money again to the bleeding head while the broken leg keeps getting millions of dollars. This type of differential treatment is how we got this shameful and horrible discipline and education gap in the first place.
Again, thanks for your time and I hope we put kids first.
With gratitude,
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom
The above words do not reflect any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom