Serving the children, families and community of MPS

What can the ombudsperson do for you?
Ombudsperson - om*buds*per*son (n.) a person who listens to and investigates questions, concerns and complaints about Minneapolis Public Schools and its programs, offices and staff.

The ombudsperson does not take sides but works with parents, community members and the school district to clarify and resolve questions, concerns and complaints in a fair and timely manner.

When should you contact the ombudsperson?
When you have done all you can to resolve your problem but still:

• Cannot get a response from a teacher, principal, employee or the school district
• Strongly disagree with a decision - grades, discipline or policies
• Need some information regarding the school district
• Don't know who to turn to for answers or help

The services of the ombudsperson are free. You may submit your complaint or concern online, or you may contact the
ombudsperson at (612) 668-1848 or via e-mail at ombudsperson@mpls.k12.mn.us. 

Complaint forms can also be downloaded and  faxed to (612) 668-1831, Attn: Mary Jo Reiter.
Click to download form: English | Hmong | Somali | Spanish  

You may also speak to someone in another language: Hmong: (612) 668-0238 | Spanish: (612) 668-0226 | Somali: (612) 668-0231 

Minneapolis Public Schools Guide to Problem Solving

The following steps should be taken if you have a problem, question or point of view to share:

Step 1: Begin with your child's teacher.

Step 2: You may involve the school counselor, social worker, nurse or other relevant staff if appropriate.

Step 3: Consult the principal or assistant principal at your school.
 
If you are not able to resolve your complaint of concern, contact the ombudsperson for assistance. The ombudsperson will be able to *mediate for you.

*Mediate = Bring about a peaceful settlement between disputants through an objective intervention by a third party.


 Tips to problem solving:

1. Stay informed about what is and what should be going on at school each day. Your child's teacher will respond to your complaints if he or she knows you as a concerned and involved parent.
    
2. Find out all the circumstances behind any situation or conflict that may arise. Try not to use your child as the solitary source of information as administrators and other adults may also be good sources.
    
3. Balance your conversation or criticism by saying something positive about the school, teachers or the benefits your child has received from the school.
    
4. Concentrate criticism on the action or incident, not on the people involved.
    
5. Express some empathy for the people involved. Use personal examples to demonstrate that you understand his or her feelings.
    
6. Focus on the possible solutions you have thought of that could be implemented. Demonstrate that you are willing to be a part of the solution.
    
7. Reaffirm your confidence in your child's school and try to end the conversation on a positive note. Use words like "I" and "we" to stress that you are going to be a part of the solution.

More helpful tips:

Talk to your child's teacher about the possibility of volunteering. This will allow you to get an inside look at the interactions in your child's classroom. But don't forget, students sometimes act differently when a parent is in the room.

Finally, don't ignore your child's possible part in the problem. Choose your battles carefully.


"If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time." - Marian Wright Edelman