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Residents tell board deconsolidation would restore local control
Summary
Several Grangeville and Clearwater Valley residents spoke in favor of splitting Mountain View School District, arguing smaller districts improve local oversight, responsiveness and levy success; speakers urged voters decide the outcome.
Several residents urged the school board to approve a plan to split Mountain View School District into smaller districts, saying local control would better serve community needs.
"Mountain View School District 244 to me is an anomaly in the rural state of Idaho," said Andrea Solberg, a registered voter in Grangeville, arguing that most Idaho districts are community‑based and not consolidated across vast geography. Andrew Lane, a Grangeville business owner, said he had long supported deconsolidation and that other small districts that separated have since passed levies and thrived.
Supporters framed the change as more than financial. Mary Schmidt told the board that deconsolidation would provide "more community ownership in determining the educational system that that community wants to provide and support," citing increased flexibility in hiring and governance as central benefits. Janice Ingram said deconsolidation offers choices closer to voters when state funding falls short.
Speakers asked the board to move the plan forward to allow voters to decide. No formal action or vote occurred during the hearing; the decision would follow additional public hearings and, if approved for a vote, a May ballot measure in the timeline presented by staff.
