Local News
McLeod West set to consolidate
Three other school districts must approve move
The fiscally troubled McLeod West School District is set to consolidate with three other districts, including Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop.
A vote on establishing new school district boundaries could come as early as May.
Because of mounting operating debt and enrollment declines, the McLeod West School Board voted in August to close the aged high school portion of the district’s Brownton facility.
This school year, McLeod West high school students are attending classes at GFW’s Winthrop site, about 13 miles from Brownton.
In addition to Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, the consolidation would include the Buffalo Lake-Hector and Glencoe-Silver Lake school districts.
Each of the four districts must vote in favor of the consolidation plan for it to be implemented.
If the vote fails in any one of the districts, McLeod West will become involuntarily dissolved, and new district boundaries would be determined by the McLeod County Board of Commissioners.
If the proposed consolidation occurs, the McLeod West district would be split three ways, effectively ending its existence.
McLeod West faculty and staff would be reassigned within the other districts, and the school board would have representation on the other districts’ boards.
McLeod West Supt. Tony Boyer said the district operating debt is expected to reach $1.7 million when the school year ends in June.
The debt will be paid through a reorganizational debt levy over five years, and will stay within the confines of the existing McLeod West district.
During the past decade McLeod West district voters have repeatedly defeated bond referendums for a new school.
Though Brownton’s population has dwindled to about 800, referendum backers have maintained that building a new school would be prudent because the area is on the cusp of southward expansion of the Twin Cities metro area.
- Local News
-
-
Update: Chase ends with car driving into Wal-Mart
Armed with a pellet gun, a one-legged man led police, including sheriff, on high-speed chase that ended near the frozen foods section at the Mankato Wal-Mart.
-
Flood warning for region upgraded to "moderate"
CLICK for latest Mankato weather forecast
Detailed floodwatch for New Ulm, Mankato, St. Peter, Henderson.
-
Dogs, deer affected by flooding
Dogs and deer are having a hard time with spring flooding.
-
MnDOT warns of deer moving across road
Floodwaters are forcing them to higher ground
-
Census response rates vary
When it comes to responding to census forms, some neighborhoods are better than others.
-
Mankato Schools to update phone system
A new phone system will save money for Mankato Area Public Schools.
-
Rural fiber optic installation set to go
Federal stimulus money is helping parts of southern Minnesota move into the technology age.
-
School's phone bid comes in under budget
Consortium involvement helps lower costs
-
Dogs, deer affected by floodwaters
Mankato expected to crest near 2001 high of 26 feet
- Today's services — 3/19/10
- More Local News Headlines
-
