Minnesota school boards not as diverse as student population

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Students of color and mixed race make up nearly one-third of Minnesota's public school enrollment, but only 3 percent of school district board members are minorities.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that an analysis of information from the state's superintendents found that 71 of 2,148 school district board members are people of color. Supporters for increasing board diversity say it's important because boards set school policies and budgets.
Most of the 39 with racial diversity only have one member of color. Five districts on or near Native American reservations have 27 of the diverse board members. The Twin Cities have eight.
Abdi Sabrie is a Somali-American who moved to Mankato in 2009.