Minneapolis Schools map program consolidations to tackle budget gap
Minneapolis Public Schools laid out a plan to address its long-standing budget shortfall by consolidating programs, redrawing attendance boundaries, and moving thousands of students to other schools. The district says up to 16 buildings could lose current programming (not officially closed) and roughly 12–14% of students could be affected. Drivers include chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, and past financial missteps, such as a corrected $10 million billing error and a $3 million health fund diversion. The district seeks public input through mid-October, with a board vote in November and potential changes starting in 2027–28; the proposal has drawn criticism from the teachers’ union and community members concerned about engagement and equitable impact.