CONSEJO ESCOLAR DE LAS MPS

My name is CJ Henderson, and I’m running for the Minneapolis Board of Education At Large because I believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment. As someone who has experienced today’s education system more recently than many candidates, I understand many of the challenges students face both inside and outside the classroom. I am running to bring fresh leadership, greater transparency, stronger community engagement, and a commitment to listening to students, families, educators, and staff before making important decisions. I believe school board members should be accessible, accountable, and focused on helping every student reach their full potential.

I believe schools should have flexibility to address the unique needs of their students because every community is different. Principals and educators often understand their school’s challenges better than anyone else. However, that flexibility should exist within clear district standards so every student has access to a high quality education regardless of which school they attend. I would support giving schools more flexibility where it improves student outcomes while maintaining accountability, transparency, and equitable access to resources across the district.

I believe increasing enrollment should be one part of the solution, but it cannot be the only strategy. Families choose schools where they feel their children will be safe, supported, and academically successful. To attract and retain students, Minneapolis Public Schools should focus on improving academic outcomes, strengthening communication with families, supporting educators, and building trust within the community. At the same time, the district must continue reviewing spending carefully to ensure resources are used effectively and responsibly.

Parents, students, educators, and community members should all have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect Minneapolis Public Schools. Listening should not happen only after major decisions have already been made. I believe the school board should actively seek community input through public meetings, outreach, surveys, and partnerships while also making decisions that are transparent, well informed, and focused on what is best for students.

Strong reading skills are the foundation for success in every subject. I support investing in evidence based literacy instruction, ensuring teachers have the resources and professional development they need, identifying students who need additional support as early as possible, and working closely with families to encourage reading both in school and at home. Improving literacy requires collaboration between educators, families, and the community, and I believe the district should regularly measure progress so we know which strategies are producing results.