Politics · United States · 5 hrs ago
Minneapolis school board bars closures and mergers for 2027-28
The Minneapolis school board voted 6-3 to rule out closures and mergers for the 2027-28 school year.
Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams had recommended pausing a plan that could have closed or merged 15 to 16 school buildings.
The board had been due to choose among three transformation plans in November.
The district said changes could help increase enrollment and bring more funding, but community concerns helped prompt the pause.
Parents and staff raised concerns about uncertainty, transparency and families leaving the district.
The resolution requires impact analysis and needs-based funding as the board continues discussions on enrollment, school choice and other issues.
The district will not close or merge schools in 2027-28, and those discussions will continue.
The Minneapolis Public Schools Board voted 6-3 to bar school closures and mergers in the 2027-28 school year.
Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams recommended that the district not proceed with closures and mergers at this time.
The board will continue discussions on enrollment, growth strategies, school assignment policies and other issues.
An amendment requires impact analysis and needs-based funding measures.
The district had been considering a transformation plan that could close or merge up to 16 schools.
- Who
- The Minneapolis Public Schools Board, led in the discussion by Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams.
- What
- The board passed a resolution barring school closures and mergers in 2027-28.
- When
- Tuesday night; the articles were published on October 13 and 14, 2026.
- Where
- Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Why
- Sayles-Adams said the community needed more time to consider possible solutions. The district had said its transformation plan could increase enrollment and funding.
Supporters of the transformation plan
Opponents of school closures and mergers
Enrollment and funding
Supporters of the transformation plan
The district said its plan was the best way to increase enrollment, and that more students in school buildings meant more funding.
Opponents of school closures and mergers
Opponents said uncertainty and closures could drive families away and destabilize schools.
School resources
Supporters of the transformation plan
Board Chair Collin Beachy said some schools lacked programming, services and support available at other schools.
Opponents of school closures and mergers
Opponents questioned the plan and called for alternatives, including outreach to families and investment in Pre-K.
The district unveiled its transformation plan, according to Mariya Melby.
Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams recommended against closures and mergers, and the board passed the resolution 6-3.
The board had been expected to vote on one of three transformation plans.
- Board vote
- Passed 6-3
- School year
- 2027-28
- Original plan
- Close or merge 16 schools
- Alternative plans under consideration
- Three
- Public meeting
- Tuesday night
3 sources
What people are saying
I’m recommending now the school board does not move forward with school closings and mergers at this time
We didn’t begin this process because we wanted to close schools. We began this process because we know not every child in MPS is receiving the same education
I beg of you to direct the board, please, board, direct the superintendent to not move forward with any plan to close, merge, or de-program schools this year or any year going forward until ya’ll really, really come up with an idea to market this absolutely incredible school district that we have
The most urgent crisis tonight is the destabilization created since this plan was unveiled on Sept. 15