Veda’s Blog

I Support Our Lakeville Teachers

On Tuesday night, I attended the Lakeville teachers rally, listening session, and meeting. Our union brothers and sisters were out in force with a Teamsters semi, speakers from Education Minnesota, Education Minnesota Lakeville, the AFL-CIO and many community members supporting the teachers.

The Lakeville School Administration is about to enter a world of hurt. Teachers are fed up with the lack of support they are getting from Superintendent Douglas Van Zyl and the school board.

A sea of red-wearing teachers at the Lakeville School Board meeting.

Superintendent Van Zyl faced the sea of red teachers and parents that filled the meeting room yet he ignored all that and proceeded to talk about the nice weather and the accomplishments of students. There was absolutely no acknowledgement of the pain the teachers are feeling or the outrage that had been voiced during the listening session that preceded the meeting.

Carrie Popp, Education Minnesota, Lakeville

Teachers are demanding a fair wage that matches those of surrounding district teachers. They rightfully reject the district’s contract language that would force a teacher to relocate mid-year if the district chose to move them. The superintendent claims the district lacks the funds to meet the teacher’s demands despite the state’s recent increased investment in education. This begs the question, why does this administration manage their funds so poorly that there is no money budgeted to support educators with a salary that is comparable to neighboring districts?

With Erin Preese and others at the rally.

The teachers are prepared to strike on May 10, unless teachers, the administration, board, and the teacher’s union can come to an agreement.

No one wants to strike. Teachers just want to be respected and appreciated. Already short staffed, gifted ISD194 teachers will continue to leave to accept offers in other districts where they can make $10-15,000 more/year. And who can blame them?

For you, dear teachers, who have nurtured and cared for my children, I will continue to show up, speak up, and support you, any way that I can.

In solidarity,

Veda Kanitz
ISD 196 educator
Candidate for the Minnesota House in district 57A.

By gladen, ago

I Support Lakeville Teachers and Students

Join us Tuesday at 5:45 to 8 PM in support of Lakeville teachers!

SHOW UP, SPEAK OUT, WEAR RED!
Lakeville Teachers have been working without a contract for more than 290 days, and the district is stalling negotiations by trying to push forced transfer language – which would disrupt the work of teachers and students.

  • 5:45 P.M. – Rally
  • 6:00 P.M. – Public Comment
  • 7:00 P.M. – School Board Meeting

Show up! We need people at the rally at 5:45-6:45pm, in the Public Comment session at 6pm, and in the School Board meeting at 7pm. If every person shows up to just one of these three, the district will see that we have the support of the community.

Speak during public comment! We need teachers, coaches, parents, and community members to speak up for a fair and prompt settlement. A speaker does not need to be an expert on all the issues—you simply need to speak to your own experience, and explain how a fair settlement would positively impact you and our community. Speakers need to arrive before 5:45pm to put in their names, and the session is 6:15-6:45pm.

Share this event! Spread word about the rally and the need for a fair, prompt settlement.

By gladen, ago

Happy Earth Day, and Thank You Bill McKibben!

For me, Earth Day 2024 marks two special occasions: My retirement from a job I love, teaching science in a public school, working with amazing kids and amazing colleagues, and beginning my campaign to represent House District 57A in the Minnesota Legislature.

I also get to thank Bill McKibben, climate activist and founder of 350.org and Third Act, for his kind and generous endorsement of my campaign!

Also, thank you Bill for the tremendous work you do, and your role as a founder of the modern climate change movement. You are an inspiration to us all.

Please consider volunteering for my campaign, or making a modest donation. Thanks!

By gladen, ago

Endorsed by Women Winning!

I am proud to announce that I have been endorsed by Women Winning, Minnesota’s largest political organization of, for, and by women.

“Women Winning is proud to endorse four extraordinary new candidates for the Minnesota House of Representatives. These candidates represent the absolute best of their communities, through years of service, dedication, and leadership, and we are thrilled that they have stepped up to run on behalf of them,” said Britta Moen, Women Winning Political Director. “We are confident that when these candidates are elected to the Minnesota House they will be champions of reproductive freedom and accessible healthcare for Minnesotans in Saint Paul. We are thrilled to stand beside them on their journeys to the State House.”

By gladen, ago

An endorsement from the DFL Environmental Caucus!

Hey everybody, look what just came in the mail!

“The DFLEC is thrilled to endorse Veda Kanitz for election in the south metro House District 57A, which includes Elko New Market and parts of Lakeville. Kanitz is a science teacher and DFL leader who served for years as Chair of the DFL Environmental Caucus, and is one of our party’s most hardworking environmental advocates. If elected to this seat, she will be among the Legislature’s strongest champions for climate action, clean water, and a healthy future for all Minnesotans, and we are tremendously honored to support her candidacy!”

Full disclosure: with my candidacy for HD57A, I stepped aside from my roles in the DFLEC. I’m proud and happy to receive this endorsement, and I’m comfortable with having received it fair and square!

By lofgren, ago

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