ANOKA, Minn. — A high-profile ideological dispute that was holding the Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools budget hostage is over following a grueling work session that lasted nearly six hours Tuesday into Wednesday.
KARE 11's Jennifer Hoff covered the meeting, reporting that the six-member school board spoke publicly for the first time about the issues that threatened to hold up passage of a 2024-25 spending plan for the state's largest district. The flap began when board treasurer Matt Audette said he would not support the existing budget because it included funding for gender and identity programs, teachings about equity and anti-racism, social-emotional learning, sharing pronouns and displays other than the American flag.
"I've heard from thousands of people who feel the same way," said Audette, speaking publicly for the first time after airing his objections in a Facebook post. "We need to have neutral, politically-neutral, ideas unifying, uplifting programs."
Audette claimed that fellow board members Linda Hoekman and Zach Arco also would not vote to pass the 2024-25 budget until several district policies and practices were abolished.
After hours of discussion, Tuesday came an apparent breakthrough, with the district reporting that board members resolved the high-profile impasse and removed the obstacles preventing approval of the 2024-25 budget.
Hoff said the reported agreement signals that the threat of a shutdown is over, and the board can continue planning for next year. Few expected a break in the stalemate this quickly, although officials from the Anoka-Hennepin School District made it clear to board members that the longer things dragged out, the bigger the impacts on students, staff and taxpayers.
The district says it will release more information on what led to the budget breakthrough on Wednesday.
Hundreds of students gathered and marched before Monday's regularly scheduled board meeting after Audette publicly aired his intention to stall the passage of a new budget. Dozens of parents and residents also showed up at the meeting to speak both in support and opposition of Audette's position on social issues in the classroom.
Ideological divides aren't the only problem facing the Anoka-Hennepin public schools, as the district is grappling with a deficit and has vowed to make $25 million in reductions over the next two years.
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