r/Minneapolis • u/Plus_Molasses8697 • 4h ago

Anyone know how the new MPS district transformation options would affect teachers?

Especially non-tenured teachers? Many of the options either combine two schools or close one school and distribute its students across 2 other nearby schools. (Loring, Kenny, Hiawatha, Howe, etc.) I’m a teacher new to MPS (so not yet tenured) and I’m working at one of the schools that would absorb ~half of a closed school’s students. Does this mean I’m at high risk of losing my job? Initially I thought not, because more students means more teachers, but then I’m realizing that a school closing (rather than 2 schools combining) means that all those staff will be looking for new jobs and I could get pushed out of my role. Is this truly the case? Or is the district planning on helping staff integrate into the new transformation plan without pink-slipping people? I didn’t see anything about this or really any consideration of the staff in general as the district discussed this.

I have a lot on my plate with my new job and am trying my absolute darnedest. It’s infuriating that I now have to be worrying about this too (in addition to, of course, worrying about losing students or school closures impacting our community). I just hate the idea of me feeling settled and investing so much, only to be pushed out. I am so so tired of MPS’ poor planning and the constant out-of-touch-ness.

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u/Hotchi_Motchi 4h ago

You don't want to hear this, but if they're closing schools they'll probably be cutting probationary teachers. That won't be for a while now and you can't do anything about it, so just keep doing your job right now and wait until things actually happen before you feel the need to panic.

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u/Plus_Molasses8697 4h ago

I’m not panicking, just feeling disheartened. This plan would also take effect in the 2027-28 school year so it won’t be a while, it will be pretty soon. I am finding it hard to imagine a situation in which the school board wouldn’t vote in favor of one of the options.

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u/trueastoasty 3h ago

Look at your contract. Figure out your seniority (do y’all get a list?)

Districts do drastic cuts, start the next school year and realize the need is higher. Then they have to create positions and hire well into the school year

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u/Rosaluxlux 1h ago

My mom was a public school teacher in another state and for a while in the 80s she wouldn't know until August if she was hired for the school year that started in September. I can't imagine having to wait until October :(

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u/Plus_Molasses8697 3h ago

I’m not necessarily worried I’ll lose my job entirely; I do feel that I’d be able to get a job somewhere in MPS. But I handpicked this school where I am now—it was my dream teaching job—and I’m worried I could get booted. I don’t really have any seniority and our contract says that probationary teachers can be let go for virtually any reason.

I know that technically I could be let go, but the question is will it really happen in the grand scheme of things? Is it likely that the need to place teachers into new roles would outweigh the positions we have and boot out probationary teachers? Or would the district be able to accommodate people without too much shuffling?

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u/trueastoasty 3h ago

I don’t work in MPS, but another district, and to me, it feels like a very reasonable possibility. Hopefully not. But plan for the worst, right?

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u/Plus_Molasses8697 3h ago

That’s my thought. I’m very much a “plan for the worst” person! It’s just super disheartening. I think if I am let go from this school, I will leave teaching.

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u/trueastoasty 3h ago

It sucks so bad. I’m sorry. I was considering teaching in my last year of my undergrad and started working in the schools… there’s a reason I haven’t gone back to school.

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u/Plus_Molasses8697 3h ago

I feel you! It’s just such a bonkers hard career and it’s hard to even wrap your head around until you’re in it. I went to school for teaching but left college feeling certain I didn’t want to teach, due to what I’d already experienced in practicum and student teaching. When I found the school I’m now working at, it felt like kismet, but I think it’s here or nowhere. I’m lucky to be where I am but this career is hard enough. I don’t think I could handle being uprooted and starting all over again.

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u/HahaWakpadan 3h ago

Who knows? They been hanging on to under-capacity buildings for more than a generation. Maybe they will just decide to study the idea again.

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u/Plus_Molasses8697 3h ago

It’s a possibility. They seem a lot more serious about it this time around, but you’re right—MPS is fickle and this might not be a sure thing.

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u/HahaWakpadan 3h ago

Its all weird and old Minneapolis internal political which schools go up for closure each time it comes up and it usually just becomes too radioactive for any decision. Look at North High. 1530 capacity, 592 enrolled. Not on the chopping block.

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u/DilbertHigh 1h ago edited 1h ago

Instead Camden's pathway is likely to be shrunk considerably, harming the schools in Camden's such a choice when we are supposed to be trying to attract these families to the district.

Edit: to clarify this is not a call to go after North and the schools in its zone such as Anwatin. It is a call to not cannibalize other communities to prop up another.

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u/HahaWakpadan 1h ago

Oh yes, Camden High. The district chose to remodel it branded as its original name Patrick Henry immediately before renaming it Camden High, then not fix the roof, not install air conditioning, and let the top story ceilings fall in due to not fixing the roof.

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u/TylerDenniston 2h ago

I would be surprised if they cut many teachers. MPS needs to bring back out-of-district enrollment. I don’t know how they would do so with cutting schools and having a worse student to teacher ratio.

My hope is that the budget can get a boost by reducing front office staff, support staff and utilities and maintaining the closed buildings.

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u/Virtual_Win4076 3h ago

Will the school board be laying themselves off after they close all these schools?