JJ Legacy founders Tonicia Abdur Salaam, right, and the late Jamal Abdur Salaam visited the school on its last day to have lunch with staff and students. It was the couple’s first time in the building since the school relocated. Jamal was diagnosed with a terminal illness and Tonicia took a leave of absence to care for her husband. Photo By Azhae’la Hanson

Editor’s Note: Jamal Abdur Salaam, a founder of JJ Legacy School featured in the following story, passed away near press time. Our condolences go out to his family and the JJ Legacy community.

By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter

When life gives you a chance to pursue your educational prowess, you should take it – a lesson that fifth-grade student Kyrin Ronchak learned from his teacher at JJ Legacy Montessori School.

“We lost a good school,” he said.

JJ Legacy’s last day of school on Jan. 12 was mixed with joy and sadness. Having learned the week prior that the state would no longer fund the school, parents, students, staff and alums gathered at lunch for a last meal together. Founders Tonicia Adbur Salaam and her husband Jamal entered the lunchroom and were welcomed by an uproar of embraces, laughter, and some tears.

“Good morning JJ Legacy,” he told excited students.

Jamal has been bound mostly to a wheelchair due to a terminal illness. He stood with Tonicia, his hand in hers, to address the room.

“My career is ending here in the gym. The doctors told me I would never work again… Now I'm dependent on what you do in school; I'm depending on you to carry on the legacy,” he said. “It will not matter where you go. You take what you learn and who you are with you. Take the love with you. Take the legacy with you.”

The day followed with games and activities. Students took the time to write their names on each other's backpacks, notebooks, and t-shirts.

“I love all my classmates,” said fifth-grader Jamila Reed. “I need to have something that will remind me of everyone here.”

**Clarissa Leino, right, comforted her student, King, in the hallway after the recommendation to close the school passed.** Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

Several students and staff were asked what JJ’s legacy was.

“Love,” said third-grader Jayla Roberts. “I know Ms. T made the building for me, she wanted us to have a space where we can see people that look like us. It’s been a great experience.”

“Family”, said Shani Merchant. “They've helped me with so many life challenges. They've never turned my sons away. They've never turned me away.” Both of her sons attend the school.”

**JJ Legacy students signed their names and wrote farewell messages on the last day of class.** Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

“Support,” said parent Kristel Porter. “My son, for the first time ever in his life, was at this school where he had people he could look up to.”

On Jan. 5, school officials called an emergency meeting to close the school. The decision came after officials discovered financial problems partly caused by inaccurate enrollment reporting.

Staff, community and board members say the news blindsided them. The sudden shutdown comes months after the school had found a new home after an eviction over disputes with rent and neglected repairs. JJ Legacy previously operated at a building owned by Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Charter school authorizer Erin Anderson said she was examining general education rankings for charter schools in December when she noticed a discrepancy between the school’s state funding and its actual enrollment.

Charter Authorizer Erin Anderson explained JJ Legacy’s financial crisis to a crowd of parents and staff during an emergency meeting in January. By the end of the meeting, the school’s board voted to close the school. Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

“I was looking at the document… and discovered that this school is being paid for 183 students,” Anderson said. “How many kids are actually at the school as of the December board meeting was 57.”

The Department of Education (DOE) funds schools based on enrollment and students served. Because of this, the school has far surpassed the amount of money it was allowed to receive, forcing the DOE to cease funding the school for the rest of the year.

“There is a significant debt that has to be paid off, and with no more money coming in, there's no way to pay it off,” Anderson said.

**Staff member Marlisha Newell embraces a student during some downtime at the end of the last day.** Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

The school had been without an accountant for more than a year.

The school lacked cash reserves for the year's second half and is $710,000 in debt. DEO payments ended on Jan. 15. JJ Legacy will have to re-apply for a charter school license if it ever wants to open its doors again.

JJ Legacy was founded in 2020 and named for Minnesota civil rights icon Josie Johnson. The school’s mission was to provide an equitable Montessori education in North Minneapolis, centering on cultural and racial identity.

Charter school board votes to close amid financial crisis