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District discusses potential withdrawal from True North cooperative; board approves resolution for District 225’s proposed withdrawal
Summary
Superintendent and board discussed a wave of member districts seeking to withdraw from the True North Cooperative 804, described as procedural with a two‑year run‑out; the board approved a resolution consenting to District 225’s proposed withdrawal and plans to consider its own intent to withdraw at the June meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Pearson updated the board on discussions among member districts of the True North Cooperative 804, saying many member districts are pursuing procedural steps to withdraw while staff and attorneys negotiate potential restructuring of the cooperative’s cost and service model.
Dr. Pearson said the cooperative’s current financial and membership model “really needs to be restructured,” citing member districts’ interest in an a‑la‑carte structure and greater flexibility. She described a withdrawal process that requires districts to give notice of intent (a procedural step due in July for the district if it moves forward), then engage in a study period before a formal board decision six months later. Under current rules a full withdrawal has a roughly two‑year runway for completion.
The board approved a resolution to accept the proposed withdrawal of District 225 from the cooperative — a procedural vote that mirrors actions other member districts have taken. Board members noted draft state legislation under consideration that may change the withdrawal process; trustees mentioned bills sponsored locally that aim to ease member‑district withdrawal procedures.
Dr. Pearson said the district will continue to work with attorneys and other member districts to seek an amicable solution and will bring the district’s own notice of intent to withdraw to the board in June for initial consideration, while continuing behind‑the‑scenes negotiations with True North’s counsel and member districts.
