Minneapolis City Council joins growing consensus of local, state and federal elected officials who oppose the MPS 'transformation plan'

On Oct. 8, 2026, Minneapolis City Council announced a resolution coauthored by 10 Council Members demanding Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) leadership stop the Transformation Plan, joining an overwhelming consensus of local, state, and federal elected officials speaking out against the three proposed options for “school transformation,” which would close 15-16 MPS schools as soon as the 2027-28 school year. 

Now, over a dozen state, local, and federal elected leaders have voiced their opposition to the proposed Transformation Plan options. Alongside families, educators, and neighbors organizing across the city, these leaders are calling for options that strengthen and stabilize our schools – instead of undermining the future of our district by closing schools and driving families away.

To date, elected officials who have made public statements raising concern about the proposed options for “school transformation” include:

• Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
• The Minneapolis House Delegation
• Minnesota Legislators 
◦ Sen. Omar Fateh (SD62), Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (SD63), Sen. Doron Clark (SD60), Rep. Esther Agbaje (HD59B), Rep. Sydney Jordan (HD60A), Rep. Anquam Mahamoud (HD62B), Rep. Fue Lee (HD59A)
• Minneapolis City Council Members
◦ Council President Elliott Payne (Ward 1), Council Vice President Jamal Osman (Ward 6), Council Minority Leader Robin Wonsley (Ward 2)
◦ Council Member Michael Rainville (Ward 3), Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw (Ward 4), Council Member Pearll Warren (Ward 5), Council Member Soren Stevenson (Ward 8), Council Member Jason Chavez (Ward 9), Council Member Aisha Chughtai (Ward 10), Council Member Aurin Chowdhury (Ward 12)

Amanda Otero, member of Minnesota Families for Public Schools and Co-Executive Director of TakeAction Minnesota, released the following statement:

“The consensus among elected leaders and community members is clear. It’s now up to the MPS School Board to listen to their constituents and do the right thing: stop the Transformation Plan immediately.

"Families are clear that bold action is needed to save our public schools – and we’re ready to engage in the hard conversations required to do that. But for three years, MPS leadership has not given families the chance. They were never clear that 'school transformation' would be a plan to close a quarter of the schools that hold our communities together.

"The challenges facing public education in the United States are bigger than any one school or district. We applaud the leaders who have spoken up in opposition to the Transformation Plan. We need these leaders to continue to fight alongside families at all levels of government to win major investments in our public schools to ensure they can deliver a quality, free, public education for all students – now and into the future. Our public schools are the foundation of our democracy. Now more than ever, it’s critical we save and strengthen our public schools.”

TakeAction MN organizes teams of people with shared interests – families, renters, performers, and voters – to win campaigns that have a real impact on our lives, from paid sick days and timely repairs for renters, to electing leaders who put people before billionaires. What we’re building is bigger than one team, campaign, or election. We’re building the skills, relationships, community, and power to lead a government and society that work for all of us.

Minnesota Families for Public Schools (MN-FPS) started in 2022 and has grown to become a 1,200-member movement representing 20+ school districts, including over 1000 members in Minneapolis Public Schools. They're building power to make Minnesota public schools #1 for all students, everywhere in the state.

ANOTHER RESOURCE

For those looking for more information on those against the 'Transformation Plan', check out:

https://stopthetransformation.com/why-stop-the-vote