Justices question Minneapolis resident’s right to sue over teacher contract

Minnesota Now

The Minnesota Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a deal between the Minneapolis school district and teachers’ union. The agreement in question ended a Minneapolis teachers’ strike two and a half years ago and included job protections for teachers of color.

Before the agreement, Minneapolis Public Schools would have to lay off teachers in order of seniority, so the last ones hired would be the first let go. Now the district can exempt teachers from underrepresented groups from that rule. But a Minneapolis resident sued over this provision, saying it’s unconstitutional. What the court is weighing is whether a taxpayer, who helps fund the district, has legal standing to sue over something like a union contract.

Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach has been following this and she joins MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to break it down.