Amid threat of school closures, MPS parents and teachers want more time on their side

In an effort to consolidate district resources, Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams introduced three plans to the school board Tuesday night that would shuffle thousands of students next fall and close up to 16 schools. But many educators and parents say the district is moving too quickly.

The proposals lay out new K-12 pathways and attendance boundaries that would impact up to 14% of enrolled students. The school board is set to vote on Nov. 10 on whether to move forward with any of the proposed changes. Any plan passed would be implemented in fall 2027. 

Susan Dreiling is the parent of a fourth grader at Field Elementary in south Minneapolis, one of the schools slated for closure under all three plans. Like many of the parents in attendance at the Tuesday meeting, she’s hoping the board delays action in favor of developi...