We call on the Minneapolis Public School Board to limit their negotiations with Superintendent Graff to a 1-year probationary contract and to include clear academic performance metrics in the contract terms.

When Mr. Graff assumed the Superintendent role in 2016, he identified literacy and equity as his top priorities, and yet in the past five years, his administration has never introduced an academic plan for Black children who comprise 33% of the school population and who experience the worst academic outcomes in a system that neither sees nor inspires them. 

2021 Minneapolis Public Schools Data Source: Minnesota Department of Education Report Card

• 74% of white students are proficient in Reading, while only 19% of Black students are proficient. Moreover, Black students’ proficiency has fallen 3% since Mr. Graff arrived 5 years ago.
• 62% of white students are proficient in Math, while only 9% of Black students are proficient. Moreover, Black students’ proficiency has fallen 10% since Mr. Graff arrived 5 years ago.
• 62% of white students are proficient in Science, while only 12% of Black students are proficient. Moreover, Black students’ proficiency has fallen 1% since Mr. Graff arrived 5 years ago.
• Over 50% of the 1200 students who left the district in the year prior to the pandemic were Black. Total district enrollment has declined 17% in the past 6 years. 

And still, he has no academic plan for Black students. 

In 2020 in the middle of a pandemic, Superintendent Graff won the Board’s approval of the controversial, highly disruptive Comprehensive District Design based on personal assurances that this would “create conditions for every student, no matter their zip code,  to receive a well-rounded education.”.

And still, he has no academic plan for Black students.

In November, 2021, Superintendent Graff presented yet another literacy framework to the MPS Board of Directors as a deflection and a substitute for legitimate innovation.  A framework is a conceptual model. It is not a plan.

And still, he has no academic plan for Black students.

We call on the Minneapolis Public School Board to carefully examine these failures of leadership and to hold Superintendent Graff accountable with a 1-year probationary contract and clear academic performance metrics.