Minneapolis Public Schools Proposes Closing Up to 16 Schools

Minneapolis Public Schools is considering closing up to 16 schools. District leaders presented three closure options on Tuesday, aiming to address years of declining enrollment that has left over 12,000 desks empty.

The proposals are the first concrete step in a district "transformation" process discussed since 2023. Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams told the school board the presentation followed years of analysis and planning. A final board vote on a plan could come as early as November, after fall elections.

School closures face strong opposition. The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers union called the three scenarios "worst-case scenarios for the future of MPS." Many parents also oppose losing neighborhood schools.

Proposed School Closures

All three options include closing the same eight schools. Five additional elementary schools are slated for closure in one or two of the plans. No community high schools would close, but four specialized high school programs would be relocated into existing buildings.

The district estimates 12-14% of students would be impacted. Closures would be felt across the city, with the north and southwest areas each losing two elementary schools under every scenario. Schools feeding into Washburn High School would be least affected.

Program Relocations and Changes

Four specialized high school programs would move. Heritage High School, focusing on Somali language and culture, would relocate to Edison High School. Longfellow High School, for pregnant and parenting students, would move to North High School. The FAIR arts magnet would also relocate to North High. Wellstone, serving immigrant students aged 18-22, would move from leased space into South High School.

The plan also expands the Montessori program at Seward from K-6 to K-8. In two scenarios, Kenwood Elementary would move back to the Southwest High School campus, reversing a controversial integration move from five years ago.

Enrollment Standards and Financial Context

In January, the district set minimum enrollment targets to sustain basic services. For elementary schools, the range is 360 to 477 students, depending on low-income enrollment. Middle schools need 594 to 756 students, and high schools require 888 to 1,064.

The district faces a $39.7 million deficit this year, though leaders did not specify potential savings from closures. Deputy Superintendent Ty Thompson stated that addressing long-term finances was not part of the board's directive for this transformation planning.

Financial struggles have grown since 2018. The district used over $264 million in federal pandemic aid to delay cuts and support a system built for 42,000 students while current enrollment sits below 30,000. Officials cite inadequate state funding, unfunded mandates, and past district management errors as contributing factors.

Next Steps and Promises

Community engagement sessions are scheduled for September and October, with an online survey available. The board will hear a summary of public feedback on October 20.

The district promises that enacting a plan would guarantee funding for a consistent set of services. This includes at least two academic intervention teachers per building and full-time art, music, and gym teachers at all elementary schools. The district has historically struggled to provide those basics at its smallest schools.

Principals at schools proposed for closure were notified just before Tuesday's board meeting. The Minnesota Reformer, which originally published this story, notes that Minneapolis is not alone; St. Paul and Robbinsdale districts have also closed schools recently, mirroring a national trend.