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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| | Email this article • Print this article | Consolidation talks move quickly, deadline looms
By Rich Glenne
The dire financial situation at neighboring McLeod West may have a big impact on the Glencoe-Silver Lake School District, Superintendent Chris Sonju said Monday night at GSL's monthly board meeting.
McLeod West is looking at two possible paths to travel after the last operations levy referendum was defeated Nov. 4. One path is consolidation, and the other is dissolving the district. Either path could involve GSL.
McLeod West has called a "closed" meeting for Thursday to discuss its options with its neighboring districts.
The Minnesota Department of Education has given McLeod West until Jan. 1 to present a plan of action, Sonju said.
There are more questions than answers at this point, Sonju said, but GSL is talking with McLeod West about consolidation opportunities.
McLeod West also is talking to its other neighbors, Buffalo Lake-Hector to the west, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop (GFW) to the south and Hutchinson to the north.
Consolidation could involve three school districts becoming two, Sonju said. It appears McLeod West may be split and two consolidation agreements may be necessary.
"We're interested," Sonju said of possible consolidation. With consolidation, GSL has an opportunity to have a voice in what happens, Sonju said. With dissolving of the McLeod West district, GSL has no voice. The matter would be decided by the county board, which would divide up the district.
"We're moving forward," Sonju said of consolidation discussions with McLeod West. "We will be a player, more than likely, either way."
Sonju stressed the need by GSL to be proactive in this matter, "and we need everyone to stay informed."
As GSL representatives, "we need to look out for what's best for GSL. But we need to look at this as an opportunity," Sonju said.
With either consolidation or dissolution, "there are positives and negatives to each path," he added.
The aim, Sonju said, is to make "the situation as positive as possible. Potentially, we will need staff and community meetings."
Any consolidation needs to be approved by voters of all the districts involved.
A couple of big questions: What happens to McLeod West's debt? What happens to McLeod West's buildings?
Sonju said McLeod West's debt will remain with McLeod West. In a consolidation, that debt could be negotiated, but Sonju said McLeod West officials do not expect GSL taxpayers to help pay off its debt.
As to McLeod West buildings, "that depends on who's part of the consolidation," Sonju said. He added that McLeod West is seeking a partner who will allow its elementary school to stay in Brownton.
Asked about a timeline for a decision, Sonju said the Jan. 1 deadline from the state is looming, "and I don't know what the plan is."
He said he will know more after Thursday's meeting.
"Things are moving rapidly. We need to give an answer as to what our intentions will be," Sonju said.
He said he has had discussions with state education officials, attorneys and financial advisers. "Once we gather up information, then we can move forward. There are so many 'what-if' scenarios.
"If it (the plan) is dissolution, it more than likely will involve us," Sonju said.
As to Thursday's scheduled meeting, Jodi Braband, board chairwoman, said that meeting cannot be "closed" or it will be in violation of the state's Open Meeting Law.
Sarah Everding, newly elected board member who will take her seat on the GSL Board in January, asked how the new board members are to be included in the discussions.
Sonju said he would make sure the new board members are informed along with the current board members.
"We're excited. We look at this as a great opportunity. We have great kids at GSL, and there are great kids at McLeod West. But we also need to look into what's best for GSL."
After the meeting, Sonju expressed concerns about two issues: One is a state statute that cancels current levies if involuntary dissolution occurs, and the other is that additional students may push GSL into higher classifications with extracurricular activities, depending on how many students come to GSL.
But Sonju said his approach is to look at this situation as "a glass half full" and make a positive out of it.
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