As I prepare to complete refinement of Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools: Current Condition, Future Prospect, for the production and publication of the second edition, I just compiled my latest set of figures pertinent to staffing at the Davis Center.
As of May 2026, there were 581 staff members at the Davis Center (Minneapolis Public Schools central offices, 1250 West Broadway), with categorical breakdown and commentary as follows:
Davis Center Staff Receiving $200,000 or More in Annual Salary (May 2026)
Nine (9) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $170,000 and $200,00 More in Annual Salary
Eight (8) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $140,000 and $170,00 More in Annual Salary
Thirteen (13) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $130,000 and $140,00 More in Annual Salary
Fifteen (15) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $120,000 and $130,00 More in Annual Salary
Forty-eight (48) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $110,000 and $120,00 More in Annual Salary
Thirty-four (34) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $100,000 and $110,00 More in Annual Salary
Seventy-two (72) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $90,000 and $100,00 More in Annual Salary
Sixty-six (66) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $80,000 and $90,000 More in Annual Salary
Seventy-two (72) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $70,000 and $80,000 More in Annual Salary
Sixty-seven (67) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $60,000 and $70,000 More in Annual Salary
Twenty-three (23) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $50,000 and $60,000 More in Annual Salary
Fifty-two (52) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $40,000 and $50,000 More in Annual Salary
Eighty-one (81) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $30,000 and $40,000 More in Annual Salary
Seven (7) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Between $20,000 and $30,000 More in Annual Salary
Six (6) staff members
Davis Center Staff Receiving Less Than $20,000 in Annual Salary
Seven (7) staff members
Total number of staff members
581
Total Expenditure for Salaries for Staff at the Davis Center
$50,221,551
..........................................................................
Comparison of Total Number of Staff Members at the Davis Center at Certain Junctures
April 2025 >>>>> 594
May 2025 >>>>> 584
July 2025 >>>>> 543
September 2025 >>>>> 574
May 2026 >>>>> 581
During spring 2025, the Superintendent Lisa Sayle-Adams administration made several conflicting claims as to staff reductions at the Davis Center, claiming at various times in April and May 2025 that reductions of 11.74%, 14.7%, and 13.8% had been made in anticipation of the budget proposal at academic year’s end. The administration finally settled on the latter figure of 13.8% but had to admit, upon my investigation and questioning, that the 13.8% did not refer to actual reductions but to reductions in number of staff maximally allowed at the Davis Center.
Upon examination of actual staff reductions, we find that a two percent (2%) staff reduction was made from April to May 2025; a seven percent (7%) staff reduction was made from May to July 2025; a six percent (6%) staff increase occurred from July to September 2025; and that another increase of two percent (2%) was made from September 2025 to May 2026.
The drop to 543 staff members from May 2025 to July 2025 was likely due to summer staff resignations and changes, while the increase to 574 staff members likely reflects new hires to fill those vacated during the summer.
What is highly notable is that during the twelve months from May 2025 to May 2026, staff members at the Davis Center deceased by just three (3) positions for a paltry five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) decrease.
Understand, then,
>>>>> that the Lisa Sayles-Adams administration made highly deceptive claims of staff reductions at the Davis Center that never matched the percentage claimed.
>>>>> and that staffing at the Davis Center in May 2025 and May 2026 was at approximately the same level.
Know also, then, that at time of grave financial distress in the form of static student enrollment, (currently at approximately 29,000 students) and a deficit or approximately $40,000,000 (forty million dollars), no effort has been made to reduce the central office burden.
Also understand that with expenditure of $50,221,551 for salaries at the Davis Center as of May 2026, that figure is approximately four percent (4%) higher than the $48,341,612 comparable figure of May 2025.
Perpend, then, that there is no effort by the Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams administration to reduce the central office burden at the Minneapolis Public Schools.
