Today, Senate Republicans affirmed parents’ right to transparency in their child’s classroom and their right to privacy when they participate in school board meetings. Two bills passed off the Senate floor are part of a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” package rolled out earlier in session.  

The first bill, S.F. 2729 by Senate Education Committee Chair Roger Chamberlain (R- Lino Lakes) simply bans the requirement for a parent or citizen to disclose their full address in order to speak at a school board meeting. “It is a parent’s absolute right to be actively involved in their child’s education, but they also have a right to privacy,” Sen. Chamberlain said. “Parents can’t be pushed aside. They can’t be bullied into submission. And they can’t be forced to reveal private information just to participate in meetings about their child’s school.” The bill passed with unanimous support and heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

The second bill, S.F. 2575, was authored by Senator Paul Gazelka (R- East Gull Lake) and reaffirms a parent’s right to see school curriculum by requiring schools to disclose this option to parents and make materials available without cost. “This is about listening to Minnesota parents and making them active partners in their children’s education,” Senator Gazelka said. “We want to empower folks to be involved in the process to ask the right questions and make suggestions when they can. Teachers shouldn’t see this as a threat. It’s an opportunity to collaborate. We should  all want parents to be involved from start to finish to ensure that our children are successful in school and throughout life.” The bill passed with bipartisan support and awaits action in the House of Representatives.