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STEP Academy’s superintendent, two board members set to resign
Two high level administrators, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the news to KARE 11 on Friday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — According to two high-level administrators at STEP Academy who wished to remain anonymous, Mustafa Ibrahim, the charter school superintendent, board chair Abdulrazzaq Mursal, and board member Rahima Ahmed are planning to announce their resignation early next week following a financial crisis at the charter school.
Two weeks ago, KARE 11 reported that STEP Academy was $775,000 over budget due to having 117 fewer students than anticipated. In a letter to the school board and administration, school authorizer Innovative Quality Schools (IQS) wrote that since the projected enrollment has not been actualized, the school was overpaid for quarter one of the 2025 fiscal year.
IQS wrote “STEP Academy is in a financial crisis. If the Board does not take sufficient and responsible action, the school will be unable to continue operations.”
But we now are learning that these financial troubles may go well beyond a lack of enrollment.
According to the academy’s 2022 to 2023 annual financial report, which is located on its website, an independent auditor found that the charter school’s total net position decreased, primarily because of increased expenses related to the addition of a second school in Burnsville in 2022.
The academy’s general fund balance, which is the key indicator of a charter school’s financial stability, went from $2.74 million in 2022 to just $54,000 in 2023. Its revenue during this time totaled $9.6 million, while expenses were $18.7 million. Those expenses were $6 million higher than the academy’s board had budgeted for.
KARE 11 has reached out to Superintendent Ibrahim and every member of the board directly. but have not heard back at this time. STEP Academy’s monthly board meeting is being held this upcoming Monday at 5:30 PM at the STEP Academy St. Paul location.
The victory was anything but certain until the closing moments of the game, but fans remained optimistic.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Lynx fans poured into downtown Minneapolis on Friday night to cheer on their team despite back-to-back losses in Games 2 and 3 of the WNBA Finals.
The fans were rewarded with a spectacle of a game that ended with a Lynx victory in the closing seconds.
“I think of so much energy from winning tonight they’ll be able to win in New York,” Hariet Grunewald said.
The victory was anything but certain until the closing moments of the game, but fans remained optimistic.
“This is my first Lynx game, and so I’m excited about that and being here, and we’re going to win, we’re going to win,” Stacey Hayes said.
As the series extends to a winner-take-all Game 5 in New York, even Liberty fans appreciated the moment for the WNBA.
“Obviously, all eyes are on the WNBA. All eyes are on the finals, and it’s just great to see the games growing and seeing the players and the organizations finally getting the respect they deserve as professional athletes,” New York Liberty fan Marqweesha Guthrie, who came from New Jersey, said.
The teen had been last seen leaving school on Tuesday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Police in St. Paul say a teen who was missing and considered endangered has been found safe.
Authorities had been searching for 19-year-old Jae’Shaun Murray. He was last seen leaving school at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Friday at about 7:30 p.m., authorities notified media that he was located.
People have noticed the team dancing on the court after wins. It’s something that goes way back, so far back that it’s hard to figure out how it got started.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx face the New York Liberty in Game 4 of the WNBA finals for the last time on their home court. It is do-or-die after Wednesday’s loss put them down one.
If they win Friday night, there will be plenty of celebrating — and dancing.
Watch the video above to see Kent Erdahl explain one Lynx tradition you’re sure to see.
