Budget cuts hit art and music programs at Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Public Schools budget cuts remain an area of concern as South High School students worry about future challenges with enrolling in elective classes.

Back in April, the board of education said the district needed to make about $27 million in cuts for the next school year.

School officials said the budget shortfall comes from new teacher contracts and a loss in enrollment.

South High School students fear cutting back could have negative effects on their school experience.

“I really like dancing so getting the chance to perform and dance especially within that community has been really great,” Clara Conry, South High School senior, said.

Conry danced her way through the arts program at South High School for four years.

“It was the community. A lot of my really close friends are in dance along with a lot of other people that I know and it’s a really supportive environment,” she said.

She calls it an outlet to get lost in the music and find ways to cope with a tough couple of years.

“In dance, we get to talk about what we want to talk about like COVID and kids have an outlet to discuss it, which isn’t something that’s true for a lot of classes,” Conry said.

But those experiences may be put on pause. 

“It’s kind of upsetting to know that like, if I ever come back that it most likely won’t be there,” Conry said.

According to an email sent to South High School parents earlier this month, the principal wrote enrollment numbers are dropping so cutting classes and staffing is what comes next.

The email explained some subject areas may have fewer class sections.

In another email obtained by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, the principal outlines a plan to get the school through the second round of budget cuts.

In the dance program, the full-time teacher is moving part-time. In music, one full-time employee is being cut from the program.

“I was planning on staying next year, but now that there might be cuts, I might not be able to even make it into the class since we have to make way for new freshmen to join the classes,” Bernice Trenou, South High School sophomore, said.

School officials said if enrollment increases in the summer or fall, the district would take a second look at the staffing.

Trenou said keeping the program at full capacity is critical.

“It’s very depressing knowing that this might be the only way some people can communicate with other people through arts or anything. It’s just like, how can you take something that they express away from them?” Trenou said.

Through the program, students perform and showcase their talents in Minneapolis while rubbing elbows with local artists in the industry.

It’s an experience students say is priceless.

“I hope there’s a future for me somewhere that I can continue dancing,” Trenou said.

Evette Porter, Minneapolis School District spokesperson, said the district is anticipating the state will give additional funding to schools, but they’re not sure when or if this will happen.

The Minneapolis School Board is set to vote on the district budget in June.