We continue our coverage of the resistance to Minneapolis Public Schools cuts to staffing and student services in the wake of Operation Metro Surge by focusing in on our powerful and crucial performing arts programs that are on the chopping block. Long time Social Justice Theatre teacher Crystal Spring sat down to talk us through her two decades of work in Minneapolis Public Schools, the power of art and expression, how theatre and culture helped our students through Covid, the George Floyd Uprising and Operation Metro Surge and the devestating cuts to performing arts being proposed by the district.

This episode opens with a clip from South high sophmore Ramsha testifying to the power of her theatre classes at the May 6th day of action for public eduation at the state capital organized by Minneapolis Families for Public Schools.

This episode ends with a poem I (jake) wrote in late February.

UPDATE: Our organizing is making an impact! Last week MPS announced a reversal to all the proposed cuts to the Adult Ed program we talked about two weeks ago, as well as an additional 10 Million to K-12 education that will save some jobs of Education Support Professionals. This is good, but not nearly enough!