Court narrows challenge to Hudson School District closures; open-meetings claim dismissed

The St. Croy County Circuit Court dismissed the plaintiffs' open-meetings law claim in litigation over the Hudson School District's decision to close two elementary schools and scheduled a hearing on the remaining certiorari claim, district officials told the board.

"The court granted the motion to dismiss the plaintiff's open meetings law claim," Nick, the district's chief financial and operations officer, read from a statement prepared by the district's attorney. He said the court concluded that plaintiffs had failed to comply with procedural requirements including filing a verified complaint with the district attorney and bringing the action in the name of the state.

Nick said the court allowed the plaintiffs two days to submit legal authority supporting the certiorari claim, and the court scheduled a hearing on that sole remaining claim for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 9:00 a.m. "We do not believe the plaintiff can meet any of the necessary requirements to obtain the injunction," the statement said, according to Nick.

Board members said the district will keep the public informed about the next steps and the costs associated with defending the case. The district's summary said two initial federal claims had been dismissed and remanded, and that one of the two state claims has been dismissed while the other remains pending.

If the court ultimately reaches the merits of an injunction request, the district noted the court would also have to consider bond requirements for any injunction and gave the parties an opportunity to file positions on bond. The board did not take new action during the update; Nick said the statement had been circulated to media and would be available to the public.