Alright – so, there was a hearing for HF 951 again today in the MN House of Reps’ education committee. We heard this legislation last year, it was added to the education omnibus bill but it failed in the conference committee. Chairs Chamberlain and Davnie were not able to come to an agreement on their overall education items and this bill became a casualty.
Rep. Richardson is presenting it again this year. All of the dflers voted for it and all of the Republicans voted against it. Don’t get too happy; this does not mean the democrats are for this. It is just a show. Let me tell you how.
- It is the teacher who refers the child to be suspended.
- It is the teacher who kicks the child from the classroom.
- It is the teacher who complains about the child
- It is the teacher who goes to the principal and the administrators to start with. Who supports the teachers and their unions – that is right the democrats. You see this is just to get black and brown votes; to pretend they care without caring to give us empty calories.
Then the republicans support the principals and the administrators while the democrats support the teachers and unions. Who supports the kids and families. No one. Yet, we all vote for these legislators who clearly do not give a flying hoot about our kids. They just give the same speech where the democrats say disparity this, racial this while supporting the very teachers who created this. Then the republicans live in la-la land and say – what racism in America? it can not be. They simply can’t see kids are getting kicked out of schools disproportionately because of their color and they have a disability. They always say – it is not happening in my neighborhood so it can not exist. And the dflers know it is happening because they create it and maintain it. The dflers are just more savvy with their words, are more charming and probably have more charisma.
My suggestion is this:
- The black and brown legislators need to go to their leadership and tell them which bills are due or die this year. Tell them those legislations can not become casualties or decorations. They can not be used for negotiations. They need to pass – period. The democrats control two of the three government branches and should technically have the upper hand. I say let’s not let them play us again into voting for them while getting nothing back in return.
- Pick maybe 5 to 10 bills in education, health, safety, employment, etc., and tell Walz and Hortman no deal if they don’t pass. You all need to have a backbone and stand up for your communities. You can not tell us it is the other side. That is not true.
- For example, why can’t the dflers stand up to the teachers and their unions. They are the ones suspending us. Rep. Erickson does have a good point. If the teachers are trained in culturally responsive, are held accountable for their actions and all of the current rules are followed then discipline should decrease.
Here is my testimony. I must say I am not optimistic this year. The Senate did not even have a companion bill.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Education Policy Committee
Chair – Rep. Richardson
March 18, 2022
Re: HF 951 – dismissal of students from kindergarten to 3rd grade prohibited
Dear Madam Chair and Members,
My name is Idil Abdull, and I am a Somali Autism Mom & Advocate.
Many thanks for the opportunity to testify again for this important legislation. As I thought about what I would say today, I have decided to do it differently. I am not going to tell you what happened to my son in the Bloomington Public School district because you already know it. I am not going to give you facts, data, and research because you know 2+2 is four.
Today, I want to appeal to your bottom line, to your wallet, and to your purses. I know you are thinking – what now? What the heck does this have to do with student dismissal. Let me line it up for you.
Imagine if you invested in Amazon, Google, Tesla, or Facebook when they first went public. If you knew back then what you know today, you all would have bought shares in these stocks. And you would be all reaping their benefits today. Investing in children today is tomorrow’s Amazon and Google.
If we keep children in school and educate them, they will pay the Medicare and social security benefits we will need tomorrow. Investing in kids today will only help and support you tomorrow when you need it.
Now, let me play you what the other side will say – what if a first-grader brings a weapon? If that is the case, then – Houston we have a problem bigger than discipline which this bill addresses if there is a serious safety threat to the student or others.
Some may say – well this is an unfunded mandate. Actually, school districts are funded to teach and educate children. In other words, keeping kids in school is funded and mandated. Please do not get distracted and focus on what is important. Keeping small children in the classroom is the biggest investment we can make today. Let us do it this year and carry it to the finish line.
I thank you as always
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom & Advocate
The above words do not reflect any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil