Already $21 million in the red and facing a $5 million lawsuit from one of its own, Robbinsdale School District 281 just took another hit — a dramatic resignation from one of its board members.
Kim Holmes, who joined the Robbinsdale Area School Board in January 2023, abruptly stepped down Oct. 5, saying the atmosphere had become “traumatic” for her and her family.
“I can no longer subject my family or myself to the traumatic environment of serving as a 281 board member,” Holmes wrote in a social media post. “This has become a matter of professional and personal conscience as well as ethical standards.”
‘Not a knee jerk decision’
Holmes said her “tipping point” came during the Sept. 23 board meeting, when members voted to dissolve the district’s Safety and Security Ad Hoc Committee — a move she strongly opposed.
“The committee did a large volume of work, laid out steps for oversight and accountability, and had a list of work it was still focused on,” she wrote. “The stakes are too high and accountability is needed.”
Holmes also described an “act of intimidation” that she says took place during the same meeting. She reported the incident to the board chair and vice chair and filed a formal complaint the next morning but said she received no follow-up.
“I will not share further details here as I too worry about retaliation,” Holmes wrote.
Holmes said she ran for school board “to be the change I wanted to see,” but found “barriers” and “alliances” that made open discussion difficult.
“Creating environments of we vs. them mentality is not only unprofessional but also reckless, especially in today’s climate,” she wrote. “A successful and healthy district needs both a competent superintendent and a school board who recognizes the importance of checks and balances and accountability. I hope District 281 achieves this before it is too late.”
Comments on Holmes’ Facebook post were overwhelmingly supportive, with users praising her integrity and dedication.
A pattern of resignations and unrest
Holmes’ term was set to run through December 2026. Her departure marks the second resignation this year from the Robbinsdale school board.
Former member Sharon Brooks resigned in February and in September filed a $5 million civil lawsuit against the board.
However, that was not Brooks’ first legal battle with the district. In June, she filed a civil lawsuit against fellow board member ReNae Bowman, accusing her of defamation and discrimination. Brooks sought $20,000 in damages, a public apology, and for Bowman to “voluntarily vacate her public office seat immediately.”
She later dismissed that case without prejudice on Sept. 3 — one day before filing a new lawsuit targeting the entire school board, according to CCX.
In December 2024, the Robbinsdale School Board voted for the second time to censure Brooks after an investigative report found she violated the board’s anti-harassment policy.
Investigation paints picture of dysfunction
The turmoil inside Robbinsdale Area Schools shows no signs of slowing. An independent investigation released in August 2024 found that nearly every member of the school board had contributed to what was described as months of conflict, shouting, sarcastic emails, alleged harassment, and public disputes.
Board members accused one another of bullying, racism, and intimidation.
“The personal disputes among school board members detailed in this report have prevented them from serving those roles effectively,” said Isaac Kaufman of Red Cedar Consulting, who led the investigation, at the Aug. 26 school board meeting.
“The result has been a high level of dysfunction and animosity in the school board’s operations. All school board members, with the possible exception of Director Evans-Becker, have contributed to this dysfunction in their behavior toward one another,” Kaufman stated.
Attorney James Martin, who serves as the district’s legal counsel, didn’t mince words.
“I’ve worked with school boards since 1993 … and I have to say, regrettably, this is the most dysfunctional board with whom I’ve ever worked,” Martin told the board. “Regardless of the genesis of this dysfunction and the reasons for its continuance, the bottom line is … this board is not fulfilling its fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of students, staff and the families of this district.”
Financial crisis deepens as district weighs school closures
As the board wrestles with internal turmoil, Robbinsdale Area Schools is also confronting a $21 million budget deficit that could force wide-ranging changes across the district.
Last month, the board heard recommendations from Reimagine Rdale, a community task force created to help chart the district’s future.
The 37-member “Vision 2030 Team” — made up of students, parents, staff, alumni, and community members — spent more than 2,000 hours studying enrollment trends, facilities, and academic priorities. Their work drew over 17,000 points of feedback through surveys, school meetings, and student input sessions, according to their website.
The group’s 40-page report shows enrollment has dropped by nearly 2,000 students over the past decade while the district continues to maintain more buildings than it needs, requiring over $200 million in repairs over the next 10 years.
The proposal calls for closing several schools and consolidating Armstrong and Cooper high schools into one new campus to help offset the financial crisis.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
