Stillwater School Closings: 834 VOICE Asks For State Supreme Court Review

STILLWATER, MN — A local non-profit made up of parents and community members in Independent School District 834 have petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court to review a Court of Appeals decision that affirmed the Stillwater Area Public School board’s decision to close Marine, Oak Park and Withrow Elementary Schools.

Members of 834 VOICE say the organization has been formed "to provide a voice for the ISD 834 community and influence district policy and decision making." A primary goal of 834 VOICE is to reverse the ISD 834 decision to close Marine Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, and Withrow Elementary.

"Today, we have filed a petition to the MN Supreme Court to appeal the recent decision of the Court of Appeals," the organization said on Facebook. "Specifically, we are asking the Court to clarify the meaning of substantial evidence and the standard of necessity and practicability regarding the school closure statute as it pertains to the district's decision to close Withrow, Marine and Oak Park Elementary Schools."

In its April decision, the Minnesota Court of Appeals stated that "the March 3 school-closing hearing afforded a reasonable opportunity for interested parties to testify on the question under consideration."

"The hearing process conformed to the requirements of Minn. Stat. § 123B.51, subd. 5, and the resulting Board decision to close the schools is supported by substantial evidence in the record."

Also on Wednesday, 834 Voice announced it had requested to enter into negotiations with the district:

We have not received a response from the District. We have been advised by our attorney not to issue any specific details at this time. What we can share is that we think it represents the best chance of resolving the dispute in a timely manner, and in a way that best represents the needs of District families. More details will be shared as they become available.

After the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the Stillwater Area Public School board’s decision to close three schools in April, school officials said in a statement that they "appreciate the Court’s consideration of this issue."

"Our student, staff and families of varying perspectives have remained earnestly and deeply engaged throughout this process, and we are grateful to them," they stated. "We are looking forward to working along with our communities to continue our transition into the start of the 2017-2018 school year."

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