Representative Kristi Pursell, who is a member of the Minnesota House Education Policy Committee, has signed onto a bill as a co-author
Pursell said her committee heard what she called “moving” testimony last week from several students of color and other officials with school districts across the state asking for help to recruit teachers of color.
According to the House of Representatives press office, Minnesota has a severe and persistent shortage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers, which is a major reason why the state continues to have the nation’s worst education gap. The state has one of the whitest teacher workforces in the nation. Some 96% of Minnesota’s teachers are white, a percentage that has barely changed in two decades despite the student population becoming increasingly diverse.
The bill, which is chief authored by Minneapolis Representative Hodan Hassan, would set a goal that the percentage of teachers of color should increase at least two percentage points per year to have a teaching workforce that more closely reflects the student population and ensure students have equitable access to effective and diverse teachers by 2040.
Another provision in the bill would set goals for schools to offer ethnic studies, anti-racist, and culturally sustaining courses. It would also prohibit a school district from having American Indian mascots, team names, or nicknames.
Studies have shown, when students of color have teachers of color, they’re more likely to be placed in gifted programs and succeed in general. They also feel more cared for, have more interest in their homework and are ultimately more likely to graduate from high school.
Pursell said Minnesota has an excellent education system for some students, but not one that generally works for every student.
“Our system works really well for white students, and it really fails a lot of our students of color. This is sort of one tool in the toolbox to try to address that. And there’s just an incredible need. We know that our achievement gap in Minnesota is wide.”
The bill was passed by the Education Policy Committee and referred to the Education Finance Committee.
Rich Larson and Lisa Peterson’s conversation with Representative Kristi Pursell can be heard here
Elliott outlines his opposition to legalized marijuana
Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott is paying close attention to the bills moving through the state legislature right now that would 
Elliott said he believes the state is rushing toward legalization without giving thought to the potential problems it could cause. He has been looking at the public safety records in other states that have legalized marijuana to understand what problems those states have had and what they have seen.
First, he said, is the issue of traffic safety. Elliott said since 2013, when Colorado and Washington State legalized marijuana, driving infractions due to drug impairment have risen across the country, even as DWI numbers have decreased. In Colorado, he said between 2013 and 2020, traffic deaths where the driver of a vehicle tested positive for THC, the intoxicating chemical in marijuana, increased from 55 people to 131 people, or 138%.
“The incidents involving drivers who tested positive [for THC] more than doubled from 2013 to 2020, from 55 people to 131. So, that’s 76 more people that are dead that tested positive for marijuana while driving a vehicle.”
There is also a problem with detection of THC in a person’s system. Driving under the influence of THC is already a crime, but there currently is not a good way to test for THC without taking a blood sample. Elliott said there are oral methods that some believe can be used, and in fact are required in the state of Alabama, but he said those methods are still in the research and testing phase.
Another issue is determining at what level THC causes enough impairment to make driving a motor vehicle unsafe. There is no agreed upon national standard yet, like the alcohol level in a person’s blood stream at .08%, that would register impairment. The problem then carries over to personal responsibility as well, he said, because personally assessing one’s own impairment can become problematic.
“I don’t think the science of how it impairs people and being able to accurately detect impairment [is there yet.] Part of that accurate impairment detection is so people understand what they can responsibly use and what period of time they need before driving or operating machinery or something like that.”
Chief Elliott also expressed concern with the amount of marijuana that would be allowed under the law, pointing out the proposed limit would be five pounds, when currently possession of 42 grams is a felony, and said he hopes there will be more safety measures added into the bills before they are passed by the legislature.
Rich Larson’s conversation with Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott can be heard here
City Council to consider new liquor licenses
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall. 
The agenda for tonight’s meeting appears to be rather light. The council will consider motions to approve new liquor licenses for the Grand Event Center, which is now under new management, and for the recently opened Raven’s Nest Café. They will also consider the second reading of an ordinance amending several sections of the Land Development Code related to neighborhood center floating districts.
As always, the city staff and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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