Mara Klecker
Reporter
Suburban K-12 schoolsA native South Dakotan and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's journalism college, Klecker has always called the Midwest home. She's worked on journalism projects in Ecuador, Nicaragua and Nepal. In her free time, she can be found reading, hiking or planning her next international trip. She lives in the west metro with her husband and two dogs.
Latest from Mara Klecker
Twin Cities Suburbs
Robbinsdale Schools made a $20 million budgeting error. Now what?
The district must cut 10% of its budget and is set to end this school year in statutory operating debt.
November 21, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Audit finds Minnesota Academies for the Deaf and the Blind lacked financial oversight
The 46-page report spells out numerous shortcomings, from overreporting expenses to allowing the superintendent to approve his own travel expenses.
November 12, 2024
Elections
Dozens of Minnesota schools turned to taxpayers for more money. Some may have to ask again.
Districts requesting technology funding earned more support from voters in Tuesday’s election than those seeking a tax hike to fund day-to-day expenses.
November 7, 2024
Elections
North metro: Voters replace one Blaine council member, retain other local leaders
Elsewhere, Anoka voters weighed in on a trash question, a council member was ousted in Brooklyn Park, and one school board seat remained close.
November 6, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Latest contest in school culture wars: Minnesota school board election endorsements
Minnesota Parents Alliance, a group associated with the “parents’ rights” movement, endorsed dozens of school board candidates. Some don’t want the support.
October 29, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
How Anoka-Hennepin schools could close a $21 million budget gap
The options include administrative cuts, spending reserves, seeking more money and increasing class sizes to as many as 34 students at high schools.
October 29, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
How Minnesota’s schools are serving millions more free breakfasts
Minn. is now in its second year of offering universal school meals; feeding more students free breakfast creates new kind of scramble before class.
October 24, 2024
Elections
After adding tech during the pandemic, Minnesota schools ask voters to pay more
School leaders know tax levies can be hard to sell to voters in a presidential election year. But they say they need money for educational and safety technology.
October 21, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
Latest contest in school culture wars: Minnesota school board election endorsements
Minnesota Parents Alliance, a group associated with the “parents’ rights” movement, endorsed dozens of school board candidates. Some don’t want the support.
October 29, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
How Anoka-Hennepin schools could close a $21 million budget gap
The options include administrative cuts, spending reserves, seeking more money and increasing class sizes to as many as 34 students at high schools.
October 29, 2024
Twin Cities Suburbs
How Minnesota’s schools are serving millions more free breakfasts
Minn. is now in its second year of offering universal school meals; feeding more students free breakfast creates new kind of scramble before class.
October 24, 2024
Elections
After adding tech during the pandemic, Minnesota schools ask voters to pay more
School leaders know tax levies can be hard to sell to voters in a presidential election year. But they say they need money for educational and safety technology.
October 21, 2024