Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
With the January 1 deadline for withdrawal having come and gone, the New Rockford-Sheyenne school district will retain the services of the East Central Special Education Unit (East Central) for at least another year.
At their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, New Rockford-Sheyenne school board members discussed mediation options between themselves and East Central. School Board Vice President Mike Jacobson began the meeting by reading a statement on behalf of the NR-S school board.
“In regards to East Central, we understand this is a difficult and emotional topic,” began Jacobson. “We will not be voting on, or discussing leaving East Central tonight or in the near future. ... Tonight’s discussion topic will be adding a third party to the conversation, as requested by the East Central board.
“So to be clear, NR-S will continue to partner with East Central for the 2022-23 school year.
“In the future, if there will be a discussion or motion to leave East Central, the public and all parties involved will be made aware well in advance. For now, the board will move forward with discussing the topic presented by East Central.”
At East Central’s regular board meeting in December, a motion was carried to initiate mediation with NR-S and Dean Rummel, an experienced mediator who has worked with East Central in the past. The motion adds that East Central would cover the cost “for the 1-day mediation.”
An email was then sent to NR-S School Board President Mary Kay Price inviting the NR-S board to participate in mediation. At Monday’s school board meeting, a lengthy discussion took place regarding what that mediation process should look like, but every board member seemed to agree that mediation was the best path forward.
“Having a third party just to get some questions answered isn’t a bad idea,” said Jacobson. “Maybe we’ll get some questions answered, and I guess that’s what I’m looking at.”
“I really feel like this is our good-faith effort to try to figure this out,” added NR-S board member Alison Myhre. “I think it’s obvious to every single person in this room that something’s gotta give, and that’s on both sides.”
However, NR-S board member Mike Schaefer expressed concern that any attempt at mediation would be futile unless the NR-S and East Central administrators can look beyond their personal grievances and “let a few things go.”
“I would say there’s definitely a business reason for a mediator, but ... this has obviously become very personal for everyone and there’s definitely hard feelings,” Schaefer explained. “... I think there has to be a willingness to move forward, or it’s a big ol’ waste of time.”
The NR-S board members seemed to agree with Schaefer’s sentiment, and after further discussion, unanimously carried a motion to “proceed to enter into third-party mediation with East Central.” The motion does not establish a format for mediation, nor confirm that Dean Rummel, who the East Central board included in their motion, should be the third party mediator.
Also a topic of discussion at Monday night’s meeting was preschool. NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters and Elementary Principal Natalie Becker began by expressing the importance of preschool and the benefits it has on children later in life.
They also presented the results of a parent survey shared on Facebook, which revealed, among other things, that parents want more family engagement activities, and share an “overwhelming” desire to see preschool continue with half-days. Louters then presented a recommendation to raise the monthly preschool fee to $75, and it was decided that any restructuring of fees can wait until the budgeting process.
Before adjourning, the NR-S board also carried a motion to approve a request for proposals for a bus storage unit, and carried a motion to request bids for a roofing proposal. The summary of proposed action regarding the roofing proposal states, “As part of an ongoing roof replacement process, the north section of the roof, from the main entrance to the fire doors, is the next section needing replacement. Prior assessments suggest that this section of the roof has outlived its lifespan.”
The summary goes on to explain that the cost of reroofing the north section of the building, which based on past projections could cost roughly $125,000, would be paid for with money from the building fund.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 14 at 7:00 p.m.
