Our Message to the Board
Good evening.
My name is Madalyn Bailey, and I’m speaking on behalf of FAIR families, students, and educators…Minneapolis
We are here with a simple, urgent request: Keep FAIR Middle School intact.
FAIR Middle School is not just another building. It offers daily arts-integrated learning, dedicated pathways, and specialized educators who reach students who often struggle in traditional settings. For many families, FAIR is why they chose Robbinsdale… and why they stay.
This proposal was introduced suddenly, without an impact analysis or transition plan. Yet the impact would be enormous. Hundreds of students would be displaced academically, socially, and emotionally at a critical stage in their development.
Middle schoolers need stability, belonging, and adults who know them. Closing FAIR Middle Will. Do. The. Opposite.
FAIR delivers results.
According to district data, FAIR Middle has the highest reading proficiency in the district at 53.6% and the highest math proficiency at 29.5%. It also requires the lowest capital investment of any middle school making it academically strong and fiscally responsible.
This is not a failing school.
This is a model of success.
Yet we are being asked to dismantle a program that is working not because it failed… but because of financial mismanagement. Our children should not be asked to sacrifice their education to fix a spreadsheet. There are better solutions… Find them.
There are also serious equity concerns. FAIR serves diverse, working-class families. Many families chose FAIR because neighborhood options did not meet their children’s needs or safety concerns... Choice that only works for families who can afford to leave the district is not equity.
And the community has spoken.
Over 1,000 people have signed a petition to keep FAIR Middle School open and unchanged, including educators, students, and even members on this very Board... That is not resistance... That is a call for partnership.
Removing this pathway will not solve enrollment challenges… it will accelerate them.
So tonight, we ask you to:
Provide transparent academic, safety, and fiscal analyses, and work with us to preserve a true magnet pathway for Arts and STEAM learners.
This pathway is not a luxury.
It is a lifeline.
It is a promise.
And it is working.
Please do not erase what is already succeeding.
Stand with students. Stand with families. And keep FAIR Middle School FAIR intact. Thank you.
As a parent of a middle schooler who thrives in a creative and supportive environment, I truly understand the urgency behind keeping FAIR Middle School open. Arts-integrated education isn’t just an enrichment; it profoundly shapes how children engage with learning, helping those who might struggle with traditional methods find their strengths and confidence. From my experience, schools like FAIR provide more than just academics—they offer students daily opportunities to explore STEAM subjects through innovative programs that encourage critical thinking and collaboration. This kind of learning environment fosters a sense of belonging and security, which middle schoolers desperately need during these formative years. Moreover, the data showing FAIR’s higher proficiency rates in reading and math compared to other district schools confirms what many families experience firsthand: this is a school where students succeed academically and feel valued socially and emotionally. The low capital investment also highlights its efficient use of resources, a critical factor when budgets are stretched. Community voices are powerful too. Over 1,000 signatures on the petition reflect a neighborhood united for education equity, advocating for diverse learners who rely on FAIR’s tailored approach. It’s essential that financial challenges from elsewhere don’t translate into academic setbacks for students. For families like mine, the choice of FAIR was about safety, environment, and specialized instruction that respects our children’s unique needs. Eliminating this pathway risks pushing students into overcrowded or unsuitable schools, threatening their progress and well-being. In closing, it’s not just about saving a building; it’s about preserving a lifeline to quality education that combines arts, science, and community. I urge decision-makers to explore alternative solutions that protect FAIR’s mission so that all students can continue to flourish.
