Minneapolis Public Schools approves Comprehensive District Design plan

The Minneapolis Board of Education voted Tuesday night in favor of the Comprehensive District Design recommendation after public input. The vote was 6-3. 

The plan is a systematic, long-range plan the district uses to guide decision-making regarding academic quality, equity and sustainability of education, and highlights various goals, priorities, policies and programs.

Minneapolis Public Schools releases new Comprehensive District Design plan

The controversial plan will cause large changes for many students within Minneapolis Public Schools.

Minneapolis Public Schools board to vote on controversial Comprehensive District Design plan on Tuesday

The district says its current structure deprives a significant number of students, especially students of color and low-income students, to receive a well-rounded education.

"We certainly know it will require lots of attention and work, monitoring and engagement from everyone involved," said Superintendent Ed Graff.

The plan will introduce new math and literacy programs for students this fall.

Structural changes like grade reconfigurations and staff moves won't happen until the fall of 2021.

Overall transportation costs will be reduced by roughly $7 million a year.

"By reducing how far our students travel across the city we expect to save that money and reinvest that in classrooms in support of the CDD," said Chief Operations Officer Karen DeVet.

One of the main goals of the plan is integration.

But parent and bilingual teacher at Armatage Montessori Abdullahi Aden fears it will do the opposite.

"What CDD does is, they bring all these kids to the inner-city, which means all the Somali kids will not be attending Armatage after 2021, and all the students of color will end up coming to the inner city," he said.

Aden understands the districts fiscal responsibility, but says schools like Armatage, that he says are integrated and performing well, should be left alone.

"I am a big believer of integration but it doesn’t do that integration," Aden added.

Those against the plan say it will disrupt the lives of thousands of students and that they did not get enough input. Opponents also say this issue shouldn't be going to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Click here to read the full statement issued by the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers in response to the decision.