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Mapleton School Board: reorganization task force finds limited financial benefit; vote to follow in June
Summary
The board reviewed a reorganization update reporting that projected financial benefits were insufficient; the district will hold a final task-force meeting and boards will vote in June after additional cost estimates and community outreach.
Mapleton School Board members reviewed a reorganization update at their May 11 meeting and were told the reorganization task force did not find the financial benefits they had hoped for. The board scheduled one more task-force meeting before the June board meeting, when the boards will vote on whether to proceed with any district reorganization.
Superintendent Jenna Farkas summarized findings from a recent meeting with consultants Adam Tescher and Levi Bachmeier and relayed survey results from neighboring Casselton that showed residents were "worried about tax impact, long range planning, but are supportive and would like more information." Board member Justin Cole asked for a clear estimate of the costs the reorganization process will impose on the districts and requested that those numbers be supplied to the boards prior to any vote.
Farkas also presented a draft timeline for the reorganization task force and described several mill-levy scenarios prepared by Pam for the group to consider. The scenarios are intended to show potential tax impacts if districts pursue different reorganization options; no final recommendation was presented at the meeting.
The board did not take a formal vote on reorganization at the May meeting. Board leaders said the next task-force meeting and the June board meeting will be used to review updated financial analyses and community feedback gathered through outreach before any formal decision is made.
