(07/26/2022) The Anoka-Hennepin School District is considering a plan to repurpose the use of Franklin Elementary School in Anoka due to declining enrollment, available classroom space in neighboring schools and to maximize efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

The repurposing plan would maintain Franklin as a school facility that would serve students in the Bridges and Pathways special education programs. These students are currently served from leased spaces in shopping malls in Andover and Coon Rapids. Current Franklin attendance area students would attend neighboring elementary schools as determined through the boundary adjustment process this fall and and also remain in the attendance area for Anoka High School and Anoka Middle School for the Arts. 

Consideration of repurposing Franklin Elementary for use as a special education school is driven by the following factors. 

• Attendance at Franklin Elementary is currently at 330 students and continues to decline. 
• The school district is committed to maintaining the schools in the City of Anoka as schools for the long term. 
• The School District is considering boundary changes for elementary schools which would be in place for the 2023-24 school year.  
• This overall proposal maintains quality education for all students involved and provides efficient use of taxpayer resources for schools.     

Families and community members are invited to learn more about future possibilities for Franklin Elementary School and provide feedback at a community meeting scheduled on Wednesday, August 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Educational Service Center, located at 2727 N. Ferry Street in Anoka. Enter at Door 7. A presentation will be shared at 6:10 p.m. If you are unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live on the school website: ahschools.us/franklin.

View Frequently Asked Questions on the Franklin facility solutions webpage.

Families and community members are also invited to provide feedback by filling out an online form.