Terry White is a regular contributor. He is also the author of the Better Minneapolis newsletter and podcast. He lives in Field.
“We just want our government and our systems to acknowledge that things are broken and adapt.”
— Elyse Colpitts
To better understand how Minneapolis Public Schools are faring, I spoke with Elyse and Brandon Colpitts, whose children are in first and second grade at Kenwood Elementary.
Like many Kenwood families, they supported teachers during recent negotiations and said that educators deserve higher pay and enforceable class size limits. They also highlighted the role of educational support professionals, operational staff and English-learner teachers in maintaining school quality.
Elyse volunteers regularly at the school and with the Parent Teacher Association, giving her a close view of both the progress and the challenges at Kenwood and across the district. The couple said their goal is to elevate the school and assure families that Kenwood offers a strong education.
Funding pressures remain a concern. Under the state’s funding formula, each student who leaves the district for private school or other alternatives takes about $21,000 in state funding with them, the Colpitts noted. Kenwood’s budget has grown from $2.9 million in 2019 to $4.5 million in 2024, but enrollment has fallen from 401 to 383 during that period. The school’s demographics have also shifted: about 17% of students now live outside the attendance boundary, compared with far fewer in previous years. In 2019, about 95% of students spoke English as their first language; in 2024, that figure was 80%. More than 20 languages are now spoken at the school, and 57% of students are students of color, up from 35% in 2019.
A major factor in these changes was the district’s Comprehensive District Design, approved in 2020 despite significant opposition, particularly from North Side families. The plan expanded Kenwood’s attendance boundaries and shifted its middle and high school pathways to Anwatin Middle School and North High School. Previously, students in the area attended Anthony Middle School and Southwest High School.
The district said the plan was intended to address longstanding inequities. But the Star Tribune reported in October 2025 that despite the changes, the district continues to face a large deficit, enrollment declines and persistent achievement gaps. Busing costs increased under the plan even though reducing transportation expenses was one of its stated goals, and racial segregation levels did not meaningfully change. Many families left the district following boundary changes, the newspaper reported.
The Colpitts said that they welcome Kenwood’s increasing diversity and believe it prepares their children for a future that is less homogenous than in past generations. They also recognize the challenges of serving a more linguistically and culturally varied student body, which is part of why they supported teachers’ push for additional resources. They said that parent involvement and competitive educator pay are crucial to meeting those needs.
They view Kenwood as a community anchor. “They’re good kids, and they’re good parents. We’re all in it together,” Brandon said. “One of the main benefits of Kenwood is that we have a strong PTA, because there are a lot of needs and a lot of parents who luckily have the resources and time to meet some of those needs.” The couple said that the school’s sense of community is a major reason families should consider Kenwood.
“I don’t think we can be a great city until we have a great school system.” — Brandon Colpitts
With class-size enforcement, increased compensation for teachers and staff, and committed volunteers, they believe that the school is positioned for improvement. “We’re proud Minneapolis Public Schools parents,” Elyse said. “We just want our government and our systems to acknowledge that things are broken and adapt.”
Asked whether changes in the new union contract will provide the needed resources, the Colpitts were optimistic. “We should be able to equitably educate every kid,” they said, and believe parity for educational support professionals and other staff is essential to addressing what they view as a historic un- derinvestment in public education. “Public schools are a great option. I don’t think we can be a great city until we have a great school system,” Brandon said.
The Colpitts and other Kenwood families argue that strong schools require sustained investment. They say that investment fosters community pride and expands opportunities for students — and that public schools remain a viable choice families can feel confident in.
