(08/23/2022) A recommendation to close and repurpose Franklin Elementary School as a special education facility for the Bridges and Pathways programs was approved by the school board at its Aug. 22, 2022 meeting. Please note, this action does not impact where students attend school for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. 

The timing of this decision needed to take place prior to the district wide boundary adjustment process that will begin in September, which was a key factor driving the timeline.     

Major reasons for this action include: 

• Continued declining enrollment in the Franklin Elementary attendance area

• Available classroom space at other Anoka-area schools

• Demonstrated facility needs for Bridges and Pathways special education programs

The school board was presented with five options for program modifications at its June 27 meeting, including the possible use of the Franklin Elementary facility, along with other possible solutions. Community feedback was collected through a public information meeting, online feedback form and a public hearing in advance of the decision. 

Current Franklin Elementary families will be able to review proposals for updated attendance boundaries for next year at a community meeting set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Anoka High School. This meeting will provide proposals and collect community feedback for all elementary schools in the Anoka High School cluster. This meeting will also be streamed live.