‘Difficult Decisions’: Robbinsdale Schools Looks to Close Two Elementary Schools
With mounting debts, declining enrollment and buildings in serious need of repair, the Robbinsdale Area School District is expected to close two of its elementary schools, as well as a middle school and its main administrative building.
“I don’t think I’ve met a person in the district that hasn’t said that we are absolutely operating too many schools,” said Superintendent Teri Staloch. “We can’t sustain the number of schools that we’re currently operating. We are in statutory operating debt, and we have to make some really unpopular and difficult decisions.”
It comes as the school board moved forward with plans on Monday, Nov. 17 to consider closing Robbinsdale Middle School (RMS) and the Education Service Center (ESC), the district’s main administrative facility.
Four elementary schools will be considered for closure. They are Lakeview, Neill, Noble and Sonnesyn elementary schools.
The closures would go into effect for the 2026-27 school year.
The school board has not made any final decisions on which schools will close. That vote is expected to come after a Dec. 15 public hearing.
Board members are expected to select two out of the four schools for closure.
“It’s always about the people, not the building,” Staloch said.
With mounting debts, declining enrollment and buildings in serious need of repair, the Robbinsdale Area School District is expected to close two of its elementary schools, as well as a middle school and its main administrative building. District administrators have recommended closing Sonnesyn Elementary.
Financial Picture
The district faces an $11 million deficit in its fund balance. If no schools are closed, that deficit is projected to grow to $38 million by the 2028-29 school year.
Previously, the district faced a nearly $21 million deficit, and cut about 200 staff members to help right the financial ship.
The Minnesota Department of Education has placed the district in a financial status known as statutory operating debt. That means the district is required to submit a plan to the state explaining how it will resolve its debt.
What’s Next?
The board spent several hours on Monday debating how to move forward, but after several failed motions, was unable to come to an agreement on which elementary schools should be on the chopping block.
District administrators have recommended closing RMS, the ESC building and Sonnesyn Elementary School. Lakeview Elementary would be repurposed as a central district campus for programming and administrative offices.
The board plans to host a listening session on potential school closures on Nov. 24.
An additional listening session will be hosted Dec. 8, ahead of a school board meeting and study session.
The board will host a public hearing on the closures on Dec. 15. A formal vote on the closures will follow the public hearing.
Further discussion on the statutory operating debt plan will occur in January, with a final vote planned for Jan. 20.
See also: Robbinsdale District Outlines Options for Closing Schools: ‘It Is Going To Be Hard’
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