Minneapolis School Board Extends Carmen Charter School's One-Year Charter Amid Community Outcry

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 23:46 GMT by CBS 58 News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Minneapolis‑Public‑School Board Grants One‑Year Extension for Carmen Charter School, Sparking Community Outrage

On Friday, May 10, the Minneapolis‑Public‑School (MPS) Board of Trustees voted to grant the Carmen Charter School a one‑year extension on its operating charter, a decision that has left parents, community activists, and local politicians furious over what they describe as a lack of commitment to the school’s promised improvements. The vote, which was narrowly carried 5‑4, was the culmination of a tense board meeting and a broader debate about the accountability of charter schools operating within the Minneapolis district.

The Extension Decision

The board’s vote extended Carmen Charter School’s charter through the end of the 2024–2025 school year. Board President Lisa D'Avanzo, who cast the decisive tie‑breaking vote, cited the school’s recent progress in curriculum alignment and staff retention as evidence that the extension was warranted. The board also noted that the state of Minnesota’s Department of Education has not yet issued a final review of the school’s charter renewal application, and that the extension would buy the district and the school time to address outstanding compliance issues.

“Charter schools are required to meet high standards of academic performance and financial integrity,” D’Avanzo told reporters. “Carmen has made strides in those areas and deserves the chance to demonstrate continued improvement.”

The decision was published in the board’s minutes—available on the MPS website—alongside a list of the school’s pending state requirements. The minutes also reference a “Letter of Intent” that Carmen’s leadership filed with the state’s charter review board, promising to raise graduation rates to at least 75% by the end of the extension period.

A Troubled History

Carmen Charter School, established in 2012 as a partnership between the Minneapolis public system and a local nonprofit, has long struggled with low test scores and inconsistent enrollment. According to data from the Minnesota Department of Education (which can be accessed via a link on the Carmen Charter School’s own website), the school’s average 2022‑23 reading score was 52%—below the district average of 68%. The school’s graduation rate for 2021 was 61%, a number that has not improved since the school’s inception.

The school’s leadership team, headed by Principal Dr. Maria López, has faced criticism for its handling of staff turnover and resource allocation. An investigation by the Minnesota Department of Education last spring found that Carmen had failed to meet “minimum teacher experience requirements” in several subject areas, a finding that contributed to the board’s decision to put the charter on a “probationary” status.

Community Reaction

In the days following the board’s announcement, dozens of parents and local community leaders staged a protest outside City Hall. “We’ve been promised improvement, but the school still hasn’t met basic benchmarks,” said Maria Hernandez, a mother of two Carmen students. “Why is the board giving them more time when there’s no evidence of real change?”

The protest quickly drew support from the local chapter of the Minneapolis Teachers’ Union, which released a statement saying, “This is not a case of a school needing a grace period. It’s a school that needs to be shut down so students can be sent to schools that are truly meeting educational standards.”

The community’s frustration is compounded by a 2021 article on CBS58’s website that highlighted a broader trend of charter schools in Minneapolis facing similar scrutiny. That article, linked in the MPS minutes, pointed out that of the 17 charter schools operating in the city, six had been placed on probation or had their charters revoked in the past five years.

Looking Ahead

The board’s extension is set to expire on June 30, 2025, after which the Carmen Charter School will have to submit a comprehensive improvement plan to the state. If the school fails to meet the required benchmarks, the board and the state are likely to move to revoke the charter entirely.

In a statement released by the school’s board, Principal López said the institution would use the extension period to overhaul its curriculum, increase teacher professional development, and launch a community‑feedback program. “We know the work is hard, but we’re committed to turning this around for our students,” López said.

The Minneapolis‑Public‑School Board has scheduled another meeting for June 22, during which it will review the school’s progress and decide whether to renew the charter for another year or proceed with a revocation.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy surrounding Carmen Charter School reflects a larger national conversation about the oversight of charter schools and the responsibility of public school boards to protect student outcomes. While charter schools enjoy a certain degree of autonomy, they are still accountable to state education departments and to the communities they serve. The MPS board’s decision to grant a one‑year extension, while perhaps a pragmatic solution to a complex issue, underscores the delicate balance between giving schools the leeway to improve and ensuring that public funds are used to deliver high‑quality education.

For now, parents and community members remain skeptical of the extension, demanding tangible evidence that Carmen Charter School will rise to meet the district’s standards. The coming months will test whether the board’s decision—and the school’s commitment—will translate into measurable gains for the students who rely on Carmen as their educational home.