VIDEO: Finstad joins in co-sponsoring ‘Parents Bill of Rights Act’

KAAL-TV | Alex Cotter

(ABC 6 News) – Congressman Brad Finstad has joined 116 other Republicans to cosponsor a bill called the ‘Parents Bill of Rights Act’. They say it would ensure parents’ rights are protected when it comes to their children’s education.

Proponents of the Parents Bill of Rights Act say it prioritizes five core principles:

• Parents have the right to review their school’s curriculum, reading materials, and state academic standards.
• Parents have the right to lawfully engage with their local school board and educators.
• Parents have the right to see a school’s budget and spending, including detailed information about revenues and expenditures.
• Parents have the right to protect their child’s privacy.
• Parents have the right to keep their children safe and be updated on any violent activity at school.

“This really was about, let’s just elevate this conversation. Worst case scenario schools are already doing it, yah know and that’s great. And the best scenario is for us to engage and get parents more involved in their kids’ education,” said Congressman Finstad.

Parents are already able to engage with teachers and school boards, but the congressman says that many parents across the country, including in southern Minnesota feel they can’t.

“We have seen some school districts in parts of the country where they have eliminated parents’ interaction at the board meetings. They have tried to really limit the debate or conversation or questions parents can have,” said the congressman.

We reached out to some of our local school districts to see how this bill if passed, would impact them. Rochester Public Schools declined to comment. 

But Austin Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joey Page sent a statement to ABC 6 News stating, “The legislation would not appear to have a significant impact on Minnesota schools. Many of the rights set forth in the five core principles are already encompassed within state law.”

Congressman Finstad says that he plans to actively pursue feedback, especially from parents and teachers about what they want to see done in their schools.

“So, it’s really just having conversations and making sure that I can be responsive and be of help however I can be to southern Minnesota,” said Congressman Finstad.