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Candidate Profile Published Tuesday, November 07 08:33:28 AM |
| Name: | Pam Costain |
Other candidates in this race: |
| Office: | Minneapolis School board member | |
| Incumbent: | No | |
| City of residence: | Minneapolis | |
| Website: | http://www.pamcostain.org | |
| Age: | 56 | |
| Background: | Director of education and training, Wellstone Action; past state director, Save Our Schools; past executive director, Resource Center of the Americas; former teacher; M.A., University of Minnesota; B.A., Carleton College; Bush Leadership fellow; community organizer; parent volunteer; two daughters, graduates of Minneapolis public schools. | |
| Endorsements: | DFL Party; AFL-CIO; AFSCME; Service Employees International Union; Minnesota Women’s Political Campaign Fund; TakeAction Minnesota; Minneapolis Federation of Teachers; Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus; Stonewall DFL; Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council. | |
| Most important issue: | I believe passionately in public education and the Minneapolis public schools. Successful public schools are critical for the future of our democracy, city and most importantly our children. We face serious challenges: lack of adequate funding from the state, declining enrollment, re-segregation, an unacceptable achievement gap, overcrowded classrooms, lack of long-range planning and weak leadership from the board. I am running to bring strong, focused and determined leadership to the board. I am committed to building partnerships across the community, creating rigorous academic programs throughout the city, linking early childhood education to K-12 and holding all parties accountable. |