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student enrollment; the school board is only viewing this financially and not holistically; no <br />community communication in this decision, and more. <br />The "Stop B.O.L.D. Cold" group is the leader in discussing the negative implications of <br />closing the three schools. They are also conducting an online survey in which they are quantifying <br />the impacts of the closure of the three schools. This survey will be very interesting and necessary <br />to understand so that their current oppositions against the closures may be quantifiably compared <br />to the numbers presented by the Board. <br />From the City of Hugo's perspective, only approximately less than 1/ of the city falls within <br />the borders of the Withrow Elementary school attendance lines. Unfortunately, the Withrow <br />Elementary school does not state how many of their students reside in Hugo. Secondly, it is <br />uncertain how many families with elementary -aged children reside in the bottom -right corner of <br />Hugo. All points to be considered, but, sadly, no firm quantitative solution may be drawn (as of <br />yet) regarding the effects of the Withrow school closure on Hugo. <br />The Current Status of the Closures <br />All of the above-mentioned individuals and organizations are continuing to hold <br />conversations regarding the closure. It is a much divided issue, and a relatively new issue, and <br />neither the "vote no" or "vote yes" side have many agreements. As seen above, both arguments <br />are valid, but further discussion must take place in order to determine if a negotiation is possible <br />for both sides. <br />Update: Dec. 28, 2015 <br />A meeting was held with Superintendent Denise Pontrelli, Executive Director of Learning <br />and Innovation Robert McDowell, Mayor of Marine Glen Mills, City Administrator of Stillwater <br />Tom McCarty, City Administrator of Oak Park Heights Eric Johnson, and the City Administrator <br />of Hugo Bryan Bear. The meeting was approximately two hours, and was quite informative. No <br />hard actions or plans were taken during the meeting, but rather a discussion to promote <br />consideration. <br />The main points of the meeting are as follows: <br />1. The school districts plans are logical, well -thought, and financially conscious; <br />2. The school district is not valuing community perspective and emotional perspectives, which <br />the city leaders are most concerned with; <br />3. The general public has negative feelings towards the closures of the schools, but it may be <br />assumed they do not have a solid understanding of the funding of a school district and how <br />monies were used from previous levies and bonds; <br />4. The decision to close the three schools seems quite rushed, and the city leaders wished to see <br />some additional time for more discussion and alternative ideas to present themselves; <br />5. No one is certain if the "silent majority" agrees with the closure of the three schools, or if the <br />"Stop B.O.L.D. Cold" hold the majority opinion; <br />6. The financial state of the issue is something that must be addressed, and there is no reason to <br />continue putting the district in a worse position by pushing off the decisions; <br />7. With deciding soon, the district faces real administrative deadlines which adds additional <br />pressure; <br />8. The district came on strong in their presentation of the plan, and may need to do some damage <br />control and/or convincing along the way; <br />4 <br />