Minneapolis school board moves toward possible school closures amid declining enrolment

The Minneapolis School Board has formally directed Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams to gather information that could pave the way for potential school closures in the next few years. The decision, first reported by The 74 , comes as the district faces shrinking enrollment, rising costs, and mounting pressure to “right-size” its operations. At a recent board meeting, members passed a resolution asking for an initial report by April 2026. The directive follows two full-day strategy sessions in June and August, part of an ongoing debate about how to manage a school system that now serves 29,000 students in buildings built for 42,000. With many schools running below capacity, The 74 noted, the district is spending a disproportionate share of student funding on fixed building costs