Board votes to keep FAIR Pilgrim Lane open, to end FAIR Crystal middle-school magnet program after 2025–26

District leaders presented statutory operating-debt (SOD) context, options for site consolidation and financial realities before the board considered motions on FAIR programs. Dr. Teri Staloch, Dr. Bob McDowell and CFO Kristen Hoheisel reviewed the facts and addressed misconceptions about district finances and the implications for FAIR School Crystal. The board then moved on a set of three related motions: to keep FAIR School Pilgrim Lane Elementary open; to discontinue the middle-school magnet programming at FAIR School Crystal at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year and repurpose the building with academic programming; and to relocate Robbinsdale Academy-Highview, Robbinsdale Virtual Academy and some ESC departments to the FAIR School Crystal building.

"MOTION: Bassett moved to not close FAIR School Pilgrim Lane Elementary, Bowman seconded. Motion prevails with a 7-0 roll call vote," the minutes state. The motion to discontinue FAIR Crystal's middle-school magnet programming passed on a 4-2-1 roll call (voting in favor: Bowman, Evans-Becker, Hillenbrand, Wutoh; voting against: Bassett, Long; abstaining: Brynteson). A third motion to relocate RA‑HV, RVA and some ESC departments to FAIR School Crystal passed 5-2. The board's decisions responded directly to public concern about magnet-program closures but generated dissent among some directors and among members of the public who spoke during Listening Time.