Central Cass board restores all bus routes, including Mapleton students, after public concern

At its July 14, 2025 annual meeting in BankNorth Theatre, the Central Cass School Board voted unanimously to reinstate all district bus routes, including pickups for students from Mapleton. The motion to reinstate all routes, moved by Troy Roesler and seconded by Brent Everson, passed by roll call with every member voting yes.

The decision followed public comment from community members, including Pete Boyle and Brett Nelson, who addressed the board to raise concerns about recent bus route changes and the potential impact on students who depend on district transportation. The board debated two competing budget motions: one moved by Kyle Schultz to reinstate rural and city routes while ending Mapleton pickups, which failed on a 5-1 roll call (Schultz supporting, five members opposed), and the subsequently successful motion to restore all routes.

Board President Joe Morken presided over the exchange and cast procedural votes in line with roll-call results. The initial motion that would have excluded Mapleton students was seconded by Paul Olsen and failed after five members — Troy Roesler, Brent Everson, Chris Kittleson, Paul Olsen, and Shannon White — voted no and Kyle Schultz voted yes. The board then approved the alternative motion reinstating Mapleton service without recorded dissent.

The board did not specify a dollar amount in the motion text for the transportation changes; related budgetary details beyond the vote were not provided during the meeting. The action resolves the immediate routing question for the 2025–2026 school year; board members will finalize committee assignments at the August meeting and the next regular board meeting is set for Aug. 11, 2025.

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.