By Tim Post, Minnesota Public Radio News

MINNEAPOLIS — On a sunny and bustling patio at a northeast Minneapolis bar, a half dozen teachers from Southwest High School recently gave Michael Kennedy a send off.

“It’s just a friendly thing that they’re doing,” said Kennedy, 63, “It’s very kind.”

Kennedy is retiring after 35 years with the Minneapolis School District. His colleagues are sad to see him go, particularly because the experienced educator is leaving at the end of what teachers say was a very challenging year.

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