Hundreds Protest Proposed J.W. Smith Elementary Closure in Bemidji Over $3.5M Deficit

Hundreds of community members packed the Bemidji Area Schools district office board room, voicing opposition to a proposed closure of J.W. Smith Elementary as the district confronts a potential $3.5 million deficit for the 2026-2027 school year, according to the Bemidji Pioneer. The paper said the closure “brought much vigor and passion to the district office board room as staff and community members rallied for the school they love during the board’s regular session on Monday.”

Financial pressure framed the meeting. Bemidji Pioneer reported the district is weighing options to avoid a potential $3.5 million deficit while proposed reductions for next year would total between $3.1 million and $3.3 million. That proposed package would fall at least $200,000 short of the cited gap, leaving the board with a remaining fiscal hole to plug or additional cuts to consider, per the Pioneer reporting.

Demographic and enrollment details presented by Lakeland News reporter Matthew Freeman underscored why parents and staff pressed the board. Freeman said J.W. Smith has 204 enrolled students, nearly 70 percent identify as Indigenous, 80 percent qualify for free and reduced lunches, 25 percent receive special education services, and 8 percent experience homelessness. Lakeland News opened its report: “AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BEMIDJI, WITH A NEARLY 70-PERCENT INDIGENOUS POPULATION, IS FACING CLOSURE DUE TO A BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, THAT HAS GROWN TO $3.5 MILLION.”

Speakers at the meeting framed J.W. Smith as a community safety net. According to the Lakeland News transcript, a meeting participant said, “IT'S MORE THAN A SCHOOL, IT'S OUR SAFE PLACE. OUR CHILDREN FEEL WELCOME THERE. THEY BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO TRULY CARE.” Another speaker argued for alternatives to closure, stating, “WHY IS THE MONEY NOT GOING TO OUR SCHOOLS. IF YOU DECREASE THE SALARIES OF THE LAST 14 EMPLOYEES WITH THE PERCENTAGE THEIR SALARIES ARE AT ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, YOU WILL SAVE THE DISTRICT OVER $1 MILLION,” per the Lakeland News transcript.

Community members raised cascading service concerns. Freeman reported the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area’s Brampton side, opened in 2023, serves 190 youth and sees about 70 to 90 students daily as part of its free after-school program, and “this will also close along with J.W. Smith if they vote to close the elementary school,” according to his account. An Instagram post circulating among locals read, “Bemidji schools is trying to close JW Smith elementary! This can NOT happen! Our elementary schools are already busting at the seems!”

The board took no official action at Monday’s session, the Bemidji Pioneer reported, and is expected to address J.W. Smith at a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2, in the district office board room, where representatives from J.W. Smith are expected to present. The paper added that if the board decides to take further action, the district is legally required to provide time for a public hearing; the next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16. Photographs accompanying the Pioneer story included image files labeled with names Anna Manecke, Jack Aakhus, Jeremy Olson, and a file referencing Bruce Goodwin.

Residents and school staff left the meeting pressing the board for alternatives; with proposed reductions of $3.1 million to $3.3 million still short of a $3.5 million deficit, the district must identify additional savings or revenue sources before a final decision, and the outcome of the March 2 special meeting will determine whether the process moves to a public hearing. The full meeting is available to view on the Bemidji Area Schools YouTube channel.