School board approves Afrocentric redesign for Benjamin E. Mays, to open in 2026

The Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a plan for Benjamin E. Mays Elementary School to become a redesigned Afrocentric elementary program, with a projected opening in the 2026 school year.

Board and district leaders said the vote follows additional community engagement and a pause last year after concerns from Benjamin E. Mays families and staff. Superintendent Dr. John Tine told the board the district had paused the effort in late 2024 to allow more listening and reconciliation with the school community, and that a principal on special assignment will lead implementation work ahead of the 2026 launch.

Supporters said the program will center instruction and curriculum on the African American experience, while offering current IB students placement options at nearby sites if families choose that pathway. Superintendent Tine and staff described a detailed timeline of work for the next 18 months: developing an instructional framework, creating supplemental curriculum materials, planning professional development for staff, finalizing daily schedules and outreach, and recruiting partners.

During the board discussion Director Vu, Director Allen and others urged careful implementation, noting Article 19 of the 2023–2025 teachers collective bargaining agreement applies to “redesigned” schools and requires a process for teacher selection, scheduling and other staffing changes. District staff said teachers interested in working at the restructured site will need to reapply for positions so the new program can select staff aligned with the instructional model; other building staff will remain in place. The board approved moving forward with that collective-bargaining definition and the redesign process.

Board members and staff emphasized ongoing community partnership. The district said parents from Benjamin E. Mays who previously raised concerns were invited to a reconciliation meeting in April, where district leaders apologized for earlier missteps and the parties agreed to proceed collaboratively. The resolution approved by the board directed district staff to continue working with the Benjamin E. Mays community under the redesign rules and timeline presented.

District leaders said the Afrocentric program will operate within state and federal requirements for curriculum and special education and that students currently enrolled at Benjamin E. Mays who prefer the IB track will be accommodated at other district IB sites. The district also said recruitment for a permanent principal would occur in the fall 2025–26 implementation phase.

The board vote was unanimous. Administration will return with further details on staff recruitment, curricular materials and community partnerships as work continues toward the 2026 opening.

Ending: The resolution directs district staff to implement the redesign process under Article 19 and to return to the board with implementation details; the board set no separate funding appropriation with the vote, saying budget and staffing details will be addressed in follow-up updates and planning meetings.