Minnesota School Districts Allow Race-Based Teacher Stipends

(The Center Square) – More than 50 Minnesota K–12 school districts have adopted a policy that allows taxpayer funds to support certain race-based programs, including financial incentives for teachers of color.

"Policy 425 – Staff Development and Mentoring" states that funds may be used to provide “financial incentives for teachers of color and teachers who are American Indian.” Districts that adopt the policy may also offer “additional stipends as incentives” and other race-focused professional development programming.

According to a report by Defending Education of more than 100 school districts, at least 50 districts in the state have adopted these policies. Another 57 districts appear not to have adopted the policy or do not include the race-based provisions.

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The program’s stated purpose is to establish a structure to support improved student learning.

The policy also addresses teacher retention strategies. If a “school district receives a grant for any of the above purposes, it will negotiate additional retention strategies or protection from unrequested leave of absences in the beginning years of employment for teachers of color and teachers who are American Indian,” the policy states.

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Some strategies the policies include are providing financial incentives for teachers of color to work in the school or district for at least five years. It also suggests placing American Indian educators at schools with other American Indian educators and placing educators of color at sites with other educators of color “to reduce isolation and increase opportunity for collegial support.”

Rhyen Staley, director of research at Defending Education, criticized the policies.

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“These policies reflect a deeply entrenched far-left ideology throughout the entire Minnesota education system that flies in the face of longstanding jurisprudence and the historic sacrifices Civil Rights leaders and supporters have made over decades,” Staley said. “These policies and practices are immoral and anti-American and must be stopped.”

Nicki Neily, president of Defending Education, also posted about the findings on X, writing that the policies allow public funds to be used for programs intended to increase the academic achievement of students of color.

The Center Square contacted the Minnesota School Boards Association for comment, but had not received a response.

Below is the list of 50 Minnesota school districts that have adopted this policy:

• Alexandria Public Schools 
• Austin Public Schools 
• Brainerd Public Schools 
• Byron Public Schools 
• Centennial School District 
• Columbia Heights Public Schools 
• Dassel-Cokato Schools 
• Delano Public Schools
• Detroit Lakes Public Schools 
• East Grand Forks Public Schools 
• Eden Valley-Watkins Independent School District
• Edina Public Schools 
• Fairmont Area Schools
• Faribault Public Schools
• Fergus Falls Public Schools
• Hermantown Community Schools 
• Hinckley – Finlayson Schools 
• Hutchinson School District 
• Jackson County Central Schools 
• Kasson – Mantorville Schools 
• Lake City Public SchoolsLake
• Crystal Wellcome Memorial District 
• Lake Superior School District 
• Mankato Area Public Schools
• Marshall County Central School District 
• Marshall Public Schools 
• Minnewaska Area Schools 
• Monticello Public Schools 
• Moorehead Area Public Schools 
• New Ulm Public Schools
• North St. Paul – Maplewood – Oakdale School District 
• Pequot Lakes Public Schools 
• Proctor Public Schools
• Rochester Public Schools 
• Rock Ridge Public Schools 
• Rocori School District 
• Saint Peter Public Schools 
• Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools 
• Shakopee Public Schools 
• Southland Independent School District 
• St. Anthony – New Brighton Public Schools 
• St. Louis County Schools 
• St. Michael – Albertville Schools 
• Stewartville Public Schools 
• Waconia Public Schools 
• Warren – Alvarado – Oslo School District
• West St. Paul–Mendota Heights–Eagan Area Schools 
• White Bear Lake Area Schools 
• Willmar Public Schools 
• Worthington Public Schools