Robbinsdale Area Schools — Transcript
Monday, December 8, 2025
School Board Officer Elections 2026
School Board Committee Assignments
Statutory Operating Debt (SOD) Plan and Budget Reductions
Facility Consolidation and Closure Options
Magnet School Programming and Transportation Adjustments
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Review
Public Hearing Process for School Closures
Educational Services Center (ESC) Relocation and Costs
Votes (3)
Elimination of Elementary Magnet Transportation and Additional School Closure
Dissent: Caroline Long
Moved by Renee Bowman [1:04:02] · Seconded by Bria Evans Becker [1:04:14]
The board discussed the high cost of elementary magnet transportation. A motion was made to eliminate this transportation and close an additional school to achieve necessary budget adjustments. Discussion touched upon the integrity of prior commitments to elementary magnets and the complexity of these decisions.
Closure of Fair Pilgrim Lane and Repurposing of Fair Crystal
Dissent: Ellen Bass
Moved by Renee Bowman [1:05:07] · Seconded by Caroline Long [1:06:05]
Following the decision to eliminate elementary magnet transportation and close an additional school, a specific proposal was brought forward. This involved closing Fair Pilgrim Lane, moving its elementary magnet program to Fair Crystal, and consequently removing Fair Crystal's middle school magnet program, sending those students to their boundary middle schools (Sandburg and Plymouth). Discussion included ensuring programming could be managed at the remaining middle schools.
Elimination of Minneapolis Open Enrollment Transportation
Dissent: Ellen Bass (voiced opposition before vote)
Moved by Bria Evans Becker [1:13:30] (as stated motion on floor) · Seconded by Renee Bowman [1:13:28]
The board considered eliminating the $363,000 Minneapolis open enrollment transportation cost. Proponents cited previous experience where eliminating transportation from certain zip codes did not negatively impact enrollment and the fact that other districts no longer fund this service. Ellen Bass voiced dissent.
Notable Quotes (6)
I'm going to make a motion that we take Magnus School transportation off the table and we close an additional school.
I don't support it.
I'm going to move that we and this isn't the final closure thing. This is the move so that we can have the public hearing. Um close Fair Pilgrim and repurpose Fair Crystal as with the students as an elementary with the students from Fair C Fair Fair.
I'm not about that kind of information about how that would feed into those other schools. This keeps intact the not touching the elementary magnets because that was it didn't say something about middle school magnets.
I just want to point out that when we did eliminate transportation from the zip codes that we did, we actually increased enrollment from those zip codes. We didn't actually lose any enrollment. I don't know why that happened, but the point is that it didn't have a a significant negative impact. In fact, it had a positive impact. So, who knows?
I mean this is one thing even though I don't like it. I do see how other districts are no longer funding this either out of their own money.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
District's financial recovery plan due to MDE by January 31st
Document outlining board governance roles
Formal document to be voted on for school closures
Study providing enrollment projections for district right-sizing
Assessment of building deferred maintenance needs
Confidential memo from Superintendent Stallo to board members with answers to questions about costs and programs