SStop the TransformationMPS transformation, explained
K-8 · Citywide magnet pathway

Sullivan STEAM

This school stays open in all three options. What changes is who attends it and where its students go next.

All schools

What happens under each option

Option 1
Boundary or pathway change

Keeps STEAM and the Somali Heritage Language and Culture pathway, feeding Edison.

Option 2
Boundary or pathway change

Same.

Option 3
Boundary or pathway change

Same.

Source: MPS proposed options pages, read Sept 17, 2026 [MPS], and the unprogrammed-building maps on slide 82 [presentation].

The building

Building use
0 of ~1136 seats
0%
under the efficient band
0%70%90%120%
Shaded band = MPS's "efficient" range (70–90% of design capacity).

Design capacity from MPS building reports, Table 2 [MPS]. Enrollment is the state's official Oct 1, 2025 count, grades K-12 [MDE]. This site also served 50 preschool or early childhood special education students on Oct 1, 2025, counted separately by the state.

On the district's own map
orange

Large enough for MPS student experience, approaching optimal enrollment

Slide 6 of the Sept 15, 2026 presentation [presentation].

Your community meeting

This school doesn't have a single assigned pathway meeting. See all meeting dates.

What the district has not answered about this school

  • How many of this school's students does MPS expect to stay in the district?
  • How many students would this school need to be sustainable, and what is the plan to recruit them?
  • What evidence ties the district's size minimum to student outcomes? MPS left the minimums out of the 118 slides and confirmed them on Sept 25: 432 students for a community elementary under 70% free and reduced meals, 360 at or above 70%.

Director Callahan asked about savings, retention and sustainability at the Sept 15 work session and asked for answers by the Oct 13 business meeting. What the board heard.

Who decides

All nine board members vote on Sullivan STEAM Nov 10. One represents this school's district; three more represent every school in the district, regardless of address.

The tag under each name is our read of their stance, based on the Sept 15, 2026 work session and Oct 14, 2025 votes on file — not their own statement of a position.

This school's district · Clerk
Lori Norvell
Leaning yes
District 5 (South)

Sept 15, 2026 work session: thanked staff, said the board has discussed this for three years and the process is not rushed. Asked for each school's enrollment against the "optimal size" number and how far each is from it; no one answered. Asked whether implementation would be phased; no answer. Oct 14, 2025: voted against the "sweet spot" definition and for Resolution 2025-0045.

At-large · Chair
Collin Beachy
Undecided

Sept 15, 2026 work session: asked seven questions, including whether the board can combine options (staff: yes), what success metrics are (no target or date given), and how much of the deficit the plan solves. Staff answered that closures are "not a huge cost savings." Thanked staff in closing. Oct 14, 2025: voted against defining the enrollment "sweet spot" as 70-89% capacity, and for Resolution 2025-0045.

At-large · Vice Chair
Kim Ellison
Supports closures

Sept 15, 2026 work session: "You guys brought back exactly what we asked you to do... I think I have enough information." Asked no questions requiring answers. Suggested Afrocentric programming and raised the safety of adult Wellstone students at South. Oct 14, 2025: voted against the "sweet spot" definition and for Resolution 2025-0045.

At-large
Joyner Emerick
Supports closures

Sept 15, 2026 work session (virtual): said staff "followed direction exquisitely" and called the plan "courageous." Asked nine questions on North Minneapolis equity, walk zones, dual language, inclusion, interventionists and libraries. Oct 14, 2025: proposed defining the "sweet spot" as 70-89% capacity (failed 2-6) and cast the only vote against Resolution 2025-0045.

Email
The district does not provide a correct phone number for this director at this time.
Other district leaders

These board members represent other parts of the district. The administration doesn't vote, but sets the agenda the board votes on.

Abdul Abdi
District 1 (Northeast and Southeast) · Treasurer
Opposed
Sharon El-Amin
District 2 (North)
Leaning yes, timeline concerns
Lucie Skjefte
District 3 (South)
Unknown
Adriana Cerrillo
District 4 (South-central)
Undecided
Greta Callahan
District 6 (Southwest)
Opposed
Hear her full comments
Dr. Shawn Harris-Berry
Associate Superintendent · This school's Associate Superintendent
Ty Thompson
Deputy Superintendent · Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams
Superintendent · Superintendent

Board members' emails and phones are theirs directly, from the MPS Board of Education page. Administrator contacts are their own direct lines, from MPS's staff directory.

This school's board district is confirmed. Check it yourself.

The board votes Nov 10.

Ask them to stop the vote and wait for the newly elected board and for published goals to fix the budget.

Take action
Stop the Transformation

An independent community site about Minneapolis Public Schools' "School Transformation" process and the schools it would close. Not affiliated with Minneapolis Public Schools, any school, or any parent foundation.

Our standard

Facts link to their source. Our argument is labeled as argument. Where sources disagree, we show the range. Spot an error? Tell us and we will correct it publicly.