Minneapolis Public Schools face pushback from families over plans to close over a dozen schools next year

Parents packed the first public meeting on the issue at Camden High School Wednesday night. During the meeting, people raised concerns about how losing these campuses, especially community anchors like Loring Elementary, might affect special education and overall student support.

The district continues to grapple with low enrollment and financial issues. The Minneapolis Public School system was built to serve 43,000 students, but now has dropped to approximately 30,000 students following the COVID pandemic.

MPS also says there's been "inaccurate reporting" which conflated closing the $39.7 million budget gap as the primary goal of closing some schools. They say the $39.7 million budget gap for the current fiscal year has already been resolved.

"MPS, like all school districts, will face continued annual budget challenges whenever expense growth outpaces projected revenue, but we do not have a structural gap as a starting point from the use of one-time funds to balance the general fund budget in the prior year, as has been the case in recent years," they say on their website.

The school board says that this effort to reimagine the district would create an environment "where every student thrives – academically, socially and emotionally – through a holistic, culturally sustaining education that engages and prepares contributing citizens."

There are five more feedback sessions scheduled. The next one is Thursday night at Washburn High School. Families can also fill out an online survey here.

The school board takes its final vote on November 10 with changes made in time for the 2027-2028 school year.

Upcoming meetings (all 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)

• Camden High School: Sept. 30, 2026
• Washburn High School: Oct. 1, 2026
• Edison High School: Oct. 2, 2026
• South High School: Oct. 6, 2026
• North High School: Oct. 7, 2026
• Southwest High School: Oct. 8, 2026
• Roosevelt High School: Oct. 9, 2026