Minneapolis Voters Elect Three New School Board Members
Voters are choosing among candidates in five districts and two at-large seats as the district faces budget cuts and declining enrollment.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Do you trust Minneapolis's school board to handle budget cuts and closures?
Minneapolis voters elect at least three new school board members on Nov. 3. The election comes after Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams shelved proposals to close up to 16 schools next year.
Why it matters
The district faces year after year of budget cuts, declining enrollment, and a building portfolio designed for a much larger district. The superintendent shelved the closure proposals citing community feedback that the timeline was too fast.
Voters choose two at-large seats from incumbent Collin Beachy and newcomers Michael Baskins, Christin Crabtree, and Stephanie Johnson. Results will be updated roughly every 10 minutes through the evening, with polls closing at 8 p.m.
The players
Lisa Sayles-Adams
Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools who shelved the proposed school closures after community feedback.
Minneapolis Public Schools
The public school district serving Minneapolis, facing budget cuts and declining enrollment.
The details
Incumbent Abdul Abdi faces Ben Lattimore in District 1, while Shannon Gibney runs unopposed in District 3. In District 5, Molly Chase and Becca Dryden are running to succeed Lori Norvell, who is not seeking reelection.
Timeline
Oct. 13, 2026: Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams shelved proposals to close up to 16 schools.
Nov. 3, 2026: Polls close at 8 p.m. as Minneapolis voters cast ballots for school board.
Legal Context
The election places new board members at the center of an unresolved debate over how to shrink a building portfolio built for a much larger district. Whether the shelved closures return will depend on who wins the seats in the coming term.
Polls close at 8 p.m., and results will update about every 10 minutes through the evening. Residents in Districts 1, 3, and 5 will see different candidate matchups on their ballots.
The takeaway
Residents who want to understand the school district's direction should track which candidates win the at-large and district seats, since the board will decide whether closure proposals return.
Further reading
Follow more local coverage in the Administration section for context on district decisions.
Live Poll
Do you trust Minneapolis's school board to handle budget cuts and closures?
