District reports True North cooperative options: dissolution or reorganization under study

District 28 staff updated trustees on True North, the cooperative that serves students across multiple member districts, saying the organization is operating this school year under interim leadership while member districts explore long‑term options.

Adam told trustees that True North has returned to a "business as usual" school year under interim leadership and that two interim superintendents, James Gunnell and James Nelson, will share duties. He said member districts earlier voted to withdraw to preserve options while task forces study the co‑op’s future.

Why it matters: True North provides specialized services to students across districts. The co‑op’s future could change where and how those services are delivered and may include a multi‑year transition period.

Staff explained that the superintendent task forces are examining two principal paths: dissolution of the cooperative or a reorganization. The task forces plan a special leadership council meeting in September to review options in greater detail, then will ask member districts for guidance at the October meetings on whether to pursue dissolution or reorganization. One staff member who serves on a dissolution task force said any chosen path would likely be implemented over a three‑year roll‑off timeline, with a ramp down in year two and further changes in year three.

District staff emphasized student continuity: trustees and staff said the working assumption is that services for students will continue through the school year and that districts are prioritizing continuity of programs while exploring structural options. “It’s not as simple as you might think, because every district and the students that are being served are variables in the calculation,” one trustee said while discussing the complexity of options.

Discussion vs. decision: The update was informational; no formal board vote on True North’s governance occurred at this meeting. Staff said a formal advice/vote will be sought in October after task forces present options in September.

Next steps: Task forces will present detailed options at a September special meeting of the leadership council and ask districts to provide guidance at their October meetings about whether to dissolve the cooperative or pursue reorganization.