• Why MAPS Should Review Its Policies on Leadership, Fairness, and Off-Campus Speech

    Mankato Area Public Schools is currently facing important questions about school leadership, staff policies, and the district’s authority over off-campus speech and social media. I have submitted policy proposals addressing Policies 466, 467, 471, and 524 and am asking community members to support a careful and transparent review. These proposals are intended to strengthen accountability,…

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  • Policy Proposal: Review and Amendment Internet Acceptable Use and Employee Use of Social Media

    Policy Proposal: Review and Amendment of Policies 524 and 471 Submitted by: Elizabeth Hanke, Member, Mankato Area Public Schools Board of EducationDate: July 13, 2026Status: Discussion draft for superintendent, Policy Committee, and legal review Below is a policy proposal I submitted under District Policy 208 requesting a coordinated review of Policy 524, Internet Acceptable Use,…

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  • Policy Proposal: Review and Amendment of Policy 466

    Below is a policy proposal I submitted for consideration under District Policy 208. Any community member may suggest a policy change through this process; however, proposals should be carefully researched, thoughtfully written, and supported by relevant laws, district information, and, if possible, examples from other school districts. This review was originally requested by a community…

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  • Filing Opens Today: Three School Board Seats Are on the Ballot—Here’s How to Run In Mankato MN

    📣 Interested in Running for the Mankato Area School Board? Candidate filing for the Mankato Area Public Schools Board opens today, July 14, and continues through 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. There are three at-large seats on the ballot this November. Each elected board member will serve a four-year term and represent residents…

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  • Policy 467: Evaluating School Leaders on Discipline, Safety, and Teacher Support

    At our June school board meeting, I asked several questions about proposed changes to Policy 467. The proposed revisions are highlighted in red in the meeting materials, and my questions begin at approximately 34:30 in the meeting video. After the meeting, I sent the Policy Committee an email outlining several recommended additions. Committee members indicated…

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