Robbinsdale schools weigh mergers, closures amid $21M deficit

Robbinsdale Area Schools said at a Tuesday night board meeting it faces a $21 million budget shortfall and is considering merging Cooper and Armstrong high schools, closing several middle and elementary schools, and seeking a voter-approved bond to build a new high school. The district, now in statutory operating debt, must submit a board‑approved plan to the Minnesota Department of Education by Jan. 31, 2026. Leaders cited declining enrollment, rising costs, and a $20 million compensatory funding double‑count as drivers of the crisis, with closures projected to save $500,000 to over $1 million per building.