Minneapolis school board members propose pause on school closure plans

Twin Cities News Minneapolis school board members propose pause on school closure plans By Erin Hassanzadeh Erin Hassanzadeh Reporter/Anchor Erin is a co-host of "The 4" on WCCO and a two-time Emmy Award-winning reporter passionate about experiential storytelling and taking viewers on an adventure - be it inside a bear den, at the bottom of a lake, or in an underground storm drain tunnel. Read Full Bio Erin Hassanzadeh October 9, 2026 / 6:03 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota Add CBS News on Google After community pushback, some Minneapolis school board members are proposing a pause on sweeping school closure plans.The "transformation plan" would address declining enrollment and, the district says, "improve student experience.""As a parent, I feel nervous around the plan as a whole," Said Shakiya Carter-Burt, who has three kids in the district, including two at a school slated to close under the plan.Carter-Burt added, "We know closing schools is not a strategy that is going to attract people to the district."And now, action from the school board. Two members, Sharon El-Amin and Greta Callahan, coauthored a resolution to pause the district's plan. Something the nine school board members will vote on as soon as Tuesday."The board is listening," said Carter-Burt. "It makes me feel our voices are being heard."WCCO spoke to school board member Greta Callahan on the phone Friday. She said plainly, "This came from constituent feedback." Callahan expects the resolution to pass, saying it's the best thing to retain families in the district and calm the chaos over the latest proposals.Shannon Gibney, prospective new board member, is running unopposed in District 3. If elected, she would start in January."I'm currently running unopposed in District 3, which is in south Minneapolis," said Gibney.She is energized by the resolution to pause closures. "People are relieved," said Gibney. "They're hopeful somebody has taken a stand."If it passes, there would be no closures through next school year. But the conversation is far from over."There's many things in Minneapolis Public Schools that are not working the way they need to work in order to stabilize the district," said Gibney. "I'm really looking forward to it even though I know it's going to be really hard." In: Education Minneapolis Featured Local Savings Boulder Valley School District heads to court over consolidation, closure plan Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to nominate Interim Chief Bill Peterson as city's next police chief Documentary "They're Here" leans on horror conventions to portray ICE surge State trooper rescues residents from burning Minneapolis home, fire official says Minneapolis shooting victim shows up at Edina hospital, police say Candidates for Chicago Board of Education president face off at forum Adams 12 board votes to close six schools as enrollment continues to fall State Route 4 set for closure this weekend at Ebbetts Pass, Caltrans says