Robbinsdale school district takes first step to close another school amid large budget shortfall

The Robbinsdale Area Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a proposal to close FAIR Crystal Middle School. Four schools will close in the district at the end of the year if the proposal passes a final vote.

FAIR Crystal Middle School is an arts magnet program. Kids who attend there would instead go to Plymouth Middle School or Sandburg Middle School, depending on where students live.

The proposal would also repurpose the middle school building to be used for Robbinsdale Academy-Highview and Robbinsdale Virtual Academy programming and house some Educational Service Center departments.

The proposal doesn’t touch FAIR Pilgrim Lane Elementary School, which was also a school being considered for closure.

RELATED: Parents concerned about future of Robbinsdale elementary school amid district cuts

The decision is part of the district’s statutory operating debt (SOD) plan to return to financial stability after a budgeting error caused a $21 million shortfall.

In mid-December, the board approved closing Noble Elementary School, Sonnesyn Elementary School, Robbinsdale Middle School and the Education Service Center at the end of the school year.

RELATED: Robbinsdale school board votes to close middle school, 2 elementary schools 

The board has a study session on Jan. 12 to further discuss SOD plans, with a vote on the state-required debt plan happening on Jan. 20. Their SOD has to be submitted to the state by the end of the month.

You learn more about the proposal the board passed HERE.

RELATED: Robbinsdale School Board discuss budget cuts at Monday meeting amid $21 million shortfall
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