Minneapolis schools closed by snow today, but the real storm is in the budget, staffing, and school maps that shape daily learning. I confirmed this morning that Minneapolis Public Schools called closures and delays after several inches of overnight snow. The pause is short. The pressure underneath it is not.
A snow day with bigger stakes
Today’s closures give families a brief breather, but they also spotlight what classrooms are up against. The district is carrying a 75 million dollar budget gap. It is cutting about 400 positions this year, including roughly 116 teaching jobs. Educators narrowly avoided a strike last month with a two year contract that adds 2 percent raises each year, pay parity for adult education, more for support staff, and enforceable class size caps. That deal is projected to cost about 35 million dollars over two years.
Families will feel these choices in counseling time, electives, and support services. Teachers will feel it in schedules and prep time. Students will feel it in longer waits for extra help.
Key numbers today: 75 million dollar deficit, 400 jobs cut, 116 teaching positions affected, contract cost 35 million dollars.
The job map is shifting
Hiring is tight in some central office and non classroom roles. Still, high need jobs remain open. Schools need licensed special education teachers, education support professionals, bus drivers, substitutes, bilingual aides, and mental health staff. If you want to work in schools, lean into roles that align with student services and safety.
- Licensed special education, school psychologists, and social workers
- Education support professionals and bilingual classroom aides
- Transportation, nutrition, and facilities crews during winter months
- Reliable substitutes with short term availability
The near term job market favors flexible credentials. A short path to impact, and a paycheck, is a substitute license or a paraprofessional role. For teachers, adding a reading or special education endorsement increases options and stability.
Special education is under repair
A state audit in August found that MPS overidentified Black students in the developmental cognitive disability category. The district must now redirect about 15 percent of its federal special education funds, roughly 1.2 million dollars, to fix disproportionalities and improve services. That means new training, better interventions, and stronger access to general education classrooms.
This is equity work, and it is also career opportunity. Schools will need staff trained in behavior supports, literacy interventions, and inclusive practices. If you are an education support professional or a teacher, a targeted credential can move you into a shortage area quickly.
Fast upskilling: take a free or low cost course in behavior intervention, earn a crisis prevention certificate, or add a reading endorsement. These can lead to higher pay and faster hiring.
Too many buildings, too few students
MPS has room for about 42,000 students. Only around 29,000 are enrolled. The school board has directed the superintendent to study closures, consolidations, and magnet program changes, with a full report due by April 2026. This is the hardest kind of change. It affects bus routes, after school care, sports, and the feel of neighborhood schools.
For staff, consolidation often means reassignments rather than immediate layoffs, but central services may shrink. For families, expect boundary maps to move and some magnet themes to shift. The aim is to match buildings and programs to where students live now, not where they lived a decade ago.
Learning first, even on a snow day ❄️
A day off school does not have to be a day off learning. Keep the routine light, short, and clear. Small habits pay off all year.
- Read for 20 minutes, then write five lines about it
- Do a quick math warm up, like 10 problems from last week’s unit
- Watch a short science video, then draw or explain one idea
- Check the district portal for any posted assignments or messages
If you are a high school student, use today to update your resume, request a recommendation, or practice an interview. Career momentum grows in quiet hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are classes moving online today?
A: No. Today’s plan is closure or delay for safety. Teachers may post optional work, but attendance is not taken online.
Q: What happens to school meals when buildings are closed?
A: Some sites offer meal pickups on closure days. Check your school’s message and the district website by late morning.
Q: Will more teachers lose jobs midyear?
A: Midyear changes are rare. Most reductions have been planned for the budget year. Reassignments can happen as enrollment shifts.
Q: How will class size caps work with fewer staff?
A: The new contract includes enforceable caps. Schools must adjust sections or staffing to stay within limits, even with tight budgets.
Q: How can I apply for open roles?
A: Go to the district jobs page and filter by school based roles. If you can start now, apply for substitute, ESP, or bus driver positions.
The snow will melt. The hard work will not. Minneapolis Public Schools must close the budget gap, repair special education, and right size buildings while keeping learning steady. I will keep pressing for details on the consolidation report due by April 2026, the pace of hiring in high need roles, and what changes families should expect this spring. For now, stay safe, read a little, and keep your plans flexible. The system is moving, and the choices we make this winter will shape classrooms next fall.
