Decision on request for Mabel-Canton open enrollment delayed

An Iowa family residing near (2.4 miles) the Mabel-Canton High School appeared before the Decorah Community School Board on Monday night, requesting an open enrollment for their son in the Mabel-Canton High School. He will be a freshman next fall.

Although there are some interstate agreements between Iowa and Minnesota, there is no agreement between the Decorah Community Schools and Minnesota. The issue arose because there is no high school in the North Winneshiek School District, and parents assumed that other agreements for open enrollment would be naturally extended to their son. That was not the case with the Iowa Department of Education (DOE), and their request has been denied.

The family has reported conflicting statements from the DOE.  Decorah School Superintendent Mike Haluska has contacted the DOE attorney to clarify options for the family and the Decorah School District. The DOE has yet to respond.  Haluska apologized to the family that the district could not respond, but was hopeful that a decision could be made by next month once guidance is provided by the DOE.