Northside schools to close

Board of Education the closing of several schools in north Minneapolis. The schools recommended to close include: Jordan Park, Lincoln, North Star, Shingle Creek and W. Harry Davis. On Tuesday, March 20, Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bill Green recommended a plan to merge with other school sites include Afrocentric with North High and Hmong International Academy with Lucy Craft Laney.

“These recommendations were not made lightly,” said Superintendent Green. “These are tough choices based on the district’s goal to provide every student with a world-class education, given our current financial and facilities situation.”

The MPS Board of Education will hold a public hearing regarding the recommendations on Tuesday, April 10, at Patrick Henry High School, 4320 Newton Ave. N., from 6-9 p.m. The hearing will give families an opportunity to address the school board with their thoughts and concerns. Each person will be limited to two minutes. Families can also e-mail their concerns to answers [at] mpls [dot] k12 [dot] mn [dot] us. The board will officially vote on the plan on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the John B. Davis Educational Services Center, 807 N.E. Broadway St.

If the board votes to accept the superintendent’s recommendations, Student Placement Services will work with families to choose a school for next school year. Families will receive a follow-up letter from Student Placement Services after April 12 with information about school options. Families may call (612) 668-1840 prior to April 12 if they would like to discuss school options before the board’s vote.

The initiative aims to impact the achievement gap that exists between students of color and white students. The plan also addresses the significant loss of student enrollment and excess capacity of many of the schools in north Minneapolis. In addition, the plan reflects the urgency of the needs in north Minneapolis and the need to provide quality programs with limited financial resources. The recommended plan proposes moving some school programs and closing others.

The superintendent also recommended the closing of Tuttle Community School and merging the elementary portion of the program with Pratt Community School located in southeast Minneapolis.

Schools recommended for closing were chosen based on a combination of factors including student achievement, enrollment, and the location and capacity of the facility.

“These recommendations were not made lightly,” said Superintendent Green. “These are tough choices based on the district’s goal to provide every student with a world-class education, given our current financial and facilities situation.”

The MPS Board of Education will hold a public hearing regarding the recommendations on Tuesday, April 10, at Patrick Henry High School, 4320 Newton Ave. N., from 6-9 p.m. The hearing will give families an opportunity to address the school board with their thoughts and concerns. Each person will be limited to two minutes. Families can also e-mail their concerns to answers [at] mpls [dot] k12 [dot] mn [dot] us. The board will officially vote on the plan on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the John B. Davis Educational Services Center, 807 N.E. Broadway St.

If the board votes to accept the superintendent’s recommendations, Student Placement Services will work with families to choose a school for next school year. Families will receive a follow-up letter from Student Placement Services after April 12 with information about school options. Families may call (612) 668-1840 prior to April 12 if they would like to discuss school options before the board’s vote.