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Minneapolis school board set to unveil cuts to close $75 million budget gap

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Minneapolis school board set to unveil cuts to close  million budget gap


Minneapolis school board members on Tuesday are expected to detail their plans to close a $75 million gap for next school year. District leaders have signaled already that school nutrition and special education will be affected. Some layoff notices have already been sent.

Officials in recent months have also been examining the district’s building use for possible savings. They’ve estimated Minneapolis Public Schools is operating now at 65 percent of the enrollment the buildings could ideally support, though district leaders haven’t said whether they plan to close buildings.

Now the state’s fourth-largest district, Minneapolis has struggled for years with budget deficits driven largely by shrinking enrollment. Last year as the district faced an even larger budget gap of $110 million, it drew from its reserves, cut jobs and left nearly 5 percent of its open staff positions unfilled to make ends meet. Some of the cuts included positions in finance, human resources and cleaning staff.

Minnesota’s school funding system is based on a per-pupil formula, so when kids choose to learn elsewhere,the thousands of dollars in state and federal funds that go with them is spent elsewhere.

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Student counts rose slightly this year to about 29,000 according to records collected by the state Department of Education, but that’s still down roughly 20,000 students from 2000. The district also took a significant enrollment hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week, district leaders said they were planning cuts to special education assistants and were restructuring school nutrition sites, but were attempting to avoid getting rid of major programs that students interact with directly. 

“Funding for some school-based programs and staffing may see slight declines but we are pleased to share that there are no complete eliminations proposed to student-facing programs in school allocations,” Deputy Superintendent Ty Thompson told board members on Tuesday.  

School budgets struggle across Twin Cities region

While the Minneapolis district struggles are well-known, a recent survey of Twin Cities area school districts shows many other school systems struggling to close gaps.

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The survey by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts shows all but a few districts dealing with deficits, many in the millions of dollars. 

Added together, districts expect to see a shortfall of $280 million. That would slip to $264 million if Gov. Tim Walz’s budget proposal is approved. Those numbers are slightly better than the more than $300 million in expected shortfalls districts reported last year.

St. Paul, now the state’s second largest district behind the Anoka-Hennepin schools, faces a $51 million shortfall.

Minneapolis school leaders say they are moving forward with budget plans, although board members worried aloud recently about what might happen if the federal government cuts spending on special education or Title 1 — funding that supports children from low-income homes. 

“What would be the reality if Title 1 is taken away?” board member Adriana Cerrillo asked at a recent meeting. “I hope that we are thinking about that.”

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“We are monitoring,” said Ibrahima Diop, the district’s chief financial officer. “It would be devastating across the country … we would have a budget shortage of about $25 million that is right now in schools.”



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1 injured, dog rescued in north Minneapolis house fire; cause under investigation

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1 injured, dog rescued in north Minneapolis house fire; cause under investigation



Investigators in north Minneapolis are looking into the cause of a house fire that injured an adult and required a dog to be rescued on Saturday afternoon.

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Crews responded to the fire at the one-and-a-half-story home on the 2000 block of Logan Avenue North around 12:33 p.m. They were able to “quickly extinguish” flames they found in a bedroom on the first floor, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department. 

Officials said the adult was treated for burns to their hands and the rescued dog was not harmed.

According to the fire department, the home was “deemed uninhabitable” due to damage from the blaze. 

The American Red Cross helped two adults and three children after the incident.

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Minneapolis fire leaves 1 person seriously injured, dog dead

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Minneapolis fire leaves 1 person seriously injured, dog dead


One person is recovering from serious injuries after the Minneapolis Fire Department rescued them from a burning home.

Minneapolis Thanksgiving fire

What we know:

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The Minneapolis Fire Department said its crews battled a fire at a two-story home in the 3600 block of Garfield Avenue South around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. 

Crews then used a ladder to rescue the person from the second story of the burning home. 

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That person, identified only as an adult, was taken to the hospital in serious condition. 

A dog died after crews rescued it from the home, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department. 

What we don’t know:

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Authorities have not shared any details on what may have caused the fire.

Details on the rescued adult were not specified. 

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The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minneapolis Fire Department. 

FireMinneapolis



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SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente Expands Technology Investment

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SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente Expands Technology Investment


November 26, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has announced significant investments in advanced restoration technology and enhanced service capabilities to better serve Minneapolis-area property owners facing water, fire, and mold damage. The expansion represents the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering comprehensive restoration solutions using industry-leading equipment and proven methodologies.

The technology enhancement initiative focuses on upgrading the company’s restoration equipment arsenal and implementing advanced techniques designed to restore damaged properties to their pre-loss condition more efficiently. These improvements complement the company’s existing IICRC certifications in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration, strengthening their position as a comprehensive restoration service provider in the Minneapolis market.

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SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has served the Minneapolis community for over ten years, building expertise in addressing the region’s specific restoration challenges. The company’s approach combines emergency response capabilities with reconstruction services, providing property owners with integrated solutions from initial damage assessment through complete restoration.

The investment in advanced technology addresses the increasing complexity of restoration projects in the Minneapolis area, where properties frequently experience damage from severe weather conditions, frozen pipes, and seasonal flooding. The enhanced capabilities enable the company to handle both residential and commercial restoration projects with greater precision and efficiency.

“We recognize that property damage situations require both immediate response and long-term restoration expertise,” said Scott Clemente, Owner of SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente. “Our investment in advanced technology ensures we can provide Minneapolis property owners with the most effective restoration solutions available.”

The company’s comprehensive approach includes direct communication with insurance adjusters and thorough damage documentation, streamlining the claims process for property owners. This service model has positioned the business as a preferred provider among insurance professionals and property owners throughout the Minneapolis metropolitan area.

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente maintains 24/7 emergency response capabilities, averaging 60-minute response times for urgent situations. The company’s team of over 65 employees provides coverage across downtown Minneapolis and central Minneapolis neighborhoods, addressing water damage from burst pipes, sewage backups, storm flooding, and equipment failures.

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The technology expansion also enhances the company’s mold remediation capabilities, addressing moisture-related issues that commonly affect Minneapolis properties due to the region’s climate conditions. Advanced moisture detection and air quality monitoring equipment enable more precise identification and remediation of mold problems in basements, crawl spaces, and other vulnerable areas.

Fire damage restoration services benefit from upgraded soot removal technology and enhanced deodorization capabilities. The improved equipment allows for more effective smoke odor elimination and water damage mitigation from firefighting efforts, reducing overall restoration timelines for affected properties.

The company’s damage restoration services encompass both mitigation and reconstruction phases, providing property owners with continuity throughout the restoration process. This integrated approach eliminates the need for multiple contractors and ensures consistent quality standards from initial emergency response through final reconstruction.

As a family-operated business, SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente continues to prioritize community relationships and customer service excellence. The technology investment reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining industry leadership in restoration capabilities while preserving the personalized service approach that has defined their reputation in the Minneapolis market.

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The enhanced technology capabilities position SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente to address evolving restoration challenges with greater precision, efficiency, and reliability. These advancements strengthen their ability to respond quickly to complex property damage scenarios and reinforce their role as a trusted restoration partner for Minneapolis-area property owners facing unexpected water, fire, or mold damage situations. By combining certified expertise with cutting-edge tools, the team continues to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes that safeguard properties.

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For more information about SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente, contact the company here:

SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente
Scott Clemente
(651) 564-9277
scott@servpro10278.com
1770 Hennepin Ave B1, Minneapolis, MN 55403

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