The Hudson School District Board of Education has approved a plan to close two elementary schools in response to significant budget challenges. In a 6-1 vote on Monday night, the board finalized the decision to close both Willow River and Houlton Elementary Schools, a move the district states will save approximately $3.3 million annually.
The decision follows weeks of debate and comes amid strong opposition from parents and community members who urged the board to explore other options. District officials have cited declining student enrollment and state funding levels that have not kept pace with inflation as the primary reasons for the closures.
Key Takeaways
- The Hudson School Board voted 6-1 to permanently close Willow River and Houlton Elementary Schools.
- The closures are scheduled to take effect before the 2026-27 academic year.
- District officials project the move will save an estimated $3.3 million per year.
- The decision was met with significant opposition from community members during public meetings.
- Financial pressures from declining enrollment and inadequate state funding were cited as the main drivers for the decision.
Financial Pressures Force Difficult Decision
The Hudson School District has been grappling with financial difficulties for several years. According to a statement provided by the board, the core of the problem lies in a widening gap between operational costs and available revenue. The district pointed to state-imposed revenue limits that have not adjusted adequately for inflation since 2010.
"The Board of Education and Administration understands that closing schools is a very difficult decision and they do not take this decision lightly," the board stated last month. This sentiment was echoed during the nearly 90-minute deliberation that preceded the final vote.
District data presented to the board and the public outlined the financial impact of various scenarios. While closing a single elementary school would have saved between $1.6 million and $2 million, the board ultimately chose the option that provided the most significant savings.
Projected Annual Savings
- Closing Both Schools: Approximately $3.3 million
- Closing One School: Between $1.6 million and $2 million
The district has already implemented staffing cuts but determined these measures were insufficient to address the long-term budget shortfall.
Board member Bryan Dahl emphasized the need for greater efficiency. "I think to have excellence in this district, we have to run more efficiently," he said during the meeting. Another member, Megan Rozowski, put the situation in stark terms, stating, "At the end of the day, if we don’t have money, we can’t educate our kids."
Community Voices Strong Opposition
The school board meeting was heavily attended by concerned parents and residents, with more than three dozen people speaking during the public comment period. The vast majority of speakers pleaded with the board to delay the vote or reject the proposal to close the schools.
Parents voiced concerns about the loss of neighborhood schools, the potential disruption to their children's education, and the speed at which the decision was being made. Bryce Buckles, a parent of a Houlton student, appealed for more time and collaboration.
"There are thousands and thousands of people who’ve learned about the issue, hundreds of them want to help and find a solution. Give us all a chance to be a part of that. We want to work with you and find creative ways to protect the crown jewel of our community: our neighborhood schools. All you need to do is give us a chance."
Another speaker, Lisa Wolff, drew parallels to a similar situation in a neighboring district. "I don’t know if everyone’s familiar with what happened in Stillwater but there’s now a new superintendent and a new board because of their rushed decision... We’ve been trying to do this in two months, so please pause, take time, check your math, please," she urged.
After the vote was finalized, the room filled with emotional reactions from the audience. Cries of "shameful" were heard, with one person telling the board to "do better" as the meeting was quickly adjourned.
A Divided Board and One Dissenting Vote
While most board members expressed that the decision was difficult but necessary, Erin Gerlach cast the sole vote against the closures. She argued that the board had not fully explored all alternatives and was moving too quickly without answering critical questions from the community.
"We’ve spent our way into this challenging area and closing schools alone, it’s not going to fix that," Gerlach stated. She proposed a motion to table the option of closing both schools to allow for further discussion and analysis.
A Call for a Pause
Erin Gerlach, the only board member to vote against the plan, motioned to delay the decision on closing both schools. However, her motion failed to receive a second from any other board member and was therefore not brought to a vote.
Gerlach added, "While I recognize that closing at least one school may be necessary, I believe that we should be tabling option No. 2, closing both schools at once, until we’ve fully explored alternatives... and allow the time to discuss this as a board, as we were elected to do."
Other board members, however, felt that delaying the decision was not a viable option. "This is hard," said Maria Rudie. "I look at this and for me, where I stand today is, I do not see how we can move forward and keep both schools open."
Next Steps for the Hudson School District
With the decision made, the Hudson School District will now begin the complex process of planning for the consolidation ahead of the 2026-27 school year. This multi-year effort will involve several key logistical challenges.
Major Tasks Ahead:
- Boundary Adjustments: The district must redraw elementary school attendance boundaries to reassign students from Willow River and Houlton to the remaining schools.
- Staffing Changes: The consolidation will require a reorganization of teachers and support staff across the district.
- Transportation Updates: Bus routes will need to be completely overhauled to accommodate the new school assignments and ensure efficient transport for all students.
- Facility Planning: The district will need to decide the future of the two empty school buildings.
The district has acknowledged the community's concerns and has posted a list of frequently asked questions and answers on its website to provide more information about the transition process. Officials have stated they are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for all affected students and families.