North News, July 2018
Kimberly Caprini is deeply rooted in the
Northside community and has served
schools across the district. Born and
raised in North Minneapolis, Caprini
identifies herself as a active parent leader
who is ready to take on issues that have
an impact on the Minneapolis Public
School district. Growing up in what is
now the Old
Highland Neighborhood as a child of nine, Caprini relates heavily
to the importance of community. She
takes pride in her strong relationships
with her husband and two daughters
who have lived on the Northside for 22
years and have given her infinite support
throughout this campaign. She ran for
the District 2 seat in 2016 but lost by a
small margin to KerryJo Felder.
“I believe our children deserve
leaders who are held accountable
to better decision making, if we
are to see equitable education for
all children.”
Caprini has passionately advocated for
specifically the Northside and Northeast
schools for eleven years. Her children
were raised in the Minneapolis Public
School system which gave her first hand
experience with its functionality. Over
the last several years, Caprini has volunteered
and served on numerous district
committees and site councils while also
volunteering numerous hours in classrooms.
Through her involvement with
MPS, she says she has gained unique
insight into its strengths and challenges.
Caprini acknowledges the progression
that the district has been showing to
address things that aren’t working and
appreciates the willingness to improve
the students’ and families’ day to day
experiences. However, she is well aware
of the lack of consistency by the district,
to the students, families, and communities
affected by the schools. Caprini is
set on bigger and betting gains for more
reliable programming, extracurricular
offerings, and trust.
“I will work with the board to ensure
that funding is allocated, the way
it’s intended to be; and is equitable
throughout our schools.”
Caprini insists on revisions to policies
that will support systemic changes. She
is an avid researcher, brainstorming solutions
by talking through different scenarios
with either her family, friends or
colleagues. A few of her goals are to
push for more mental health support,
more ethnic studies in the schools and
an increase in hiring teachers of color
as well as in position of leadership at the
Davis Center. Her inspiration for running
is remembering her own struggles in
school. As a mother, she wants to ensure
that not only her children do well but that
all children receive the best education
possible.
“To have the honor to represent our
district isn’t about power to me at
all; it’s about making the kinds of
decisions that will best serve our
students, their families and school
staff and I’m ready to hit the ground
running.”