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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Resolution Proposed to Delay Minneapolis School Closures
Two members of the Minneapolis School Board, Greta Callahan and Sharon El-Amin, have introduced a draft resolution aimed at halting the current process to close or alter schools for the 2027-28 academic year. Their proposal is set to be considered at the school board's upcoming meeting, as pressure mounts on district leadership to reconsider significant changes that could affect up to 16 school buildings.
Background: School Closure Plan Meets Community Opposition
The district's plan to redraw attendance boundaries and close or merge schools was unveiled last month. The proposal was quickly met with opposition from families and teachers, many of whom are seeking to delay a scheduled school board vote on November 10. Concerns have focused on the process, the supporting data, and the potential effects on education and communities.
Key Provisions of the Draft Resolution
The resolution authored by Callahan and El-Amin would prohibit closing, merging, consolidating, or "unprogramming" any school building or campus in the next school year. Instead, the proposal instructs Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams to develop and present an alternative plan by February to the board. The resolution emphasizes the need for:
- Clear and complete data
- Educational and financial rationale
- Meaningful engagement with affected families and communities
- Consideration of alternatives that could strengthen enrollment and academic programming
If adopted, the resolution would give the board the option to consider school closures later, after reviewing alternative plans and community input. As of midday Friday, the agenda for Tuesday's school board meeting had not yet been posted.
District Challenges: Enrollment and Budget Concerns
Minneapolis Public Schools serves approximately 30,000 students, despite having capacity for 43,000. The district has faced declining school enrollment, contributing to multi-million dollar budget deficits. Administrative staff report that the district is stretched thin across too many under-enrolled buildings, and more than half of the district’s 56 schools are currently operating below 70% capacity.
Previous restructuring plans have been underway for nearly three years. District staff have presented options for school closures and new attendance boundaries, estimating modest annual savings between $720,000 and $2.3 million by fiscal year 2028. District leaders have stated that any savings would be reinvested to ensure equal academic programming and interventions across all remaining schools.
Calls for Broader Reforms and Alternatives
The resolution from Callahan and El-Amin calls for more than just a pause. It urges the administration to:
- Reconsider attendance restrictions set by the 2020 district redesign
- Restore open enrollment for high school students
- Expand prekindergarten options
- Increase programming on the North Side, including Afrocentric and dual language pathways
The resolution also requests a review of central office spending and detailed projections of the enrollment, academic, transportation, and financial impacts of any future closures or changes to school programming.
Broader Push for a Delay and Strategic Planning
The push to postpone the school board vote comes on the heels of a similar resolution by the Minneapolis City Council, where 10 of 13 members have called for more time to consider alternatives. While the city council has no formal authority over the school board, it has urged a comprehensive strategy around the district’s enrollment, finances, and facilities.
As the third-largest district in the state, Minneapolis Public Schools continues to face scrutiny over its school district budget and repeated financial challenges. The debate over minneapolis school closures underscores the importance of community engagement and thoughtful planning in shaping the district’s future.
Source: startribune.com.
