Debate continues regarding open enrollment for North Winneshiek students at Mabel-Canton

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The Interim School Board for the soon to be consolidated North Winneshiek and Decorah Community Schools met Wednesday evening, with the primary agenda item being discussion of open enrollment for North Winneshiek students at Mabel-Canton. The issue has been resolved for the current year, with agreements in place until the schools complete the consolidation in June, 2019.

The issue comes down to money, and serving students. Currently, Decorah directs almost $100,000 to Mabel-Canton for 14 open enrolled students. But the pool of interested parents/students could escalate next year when North Winneshiek grades K-6 officially become part of Decorah Community Schools. (Current state aid per student is about $6700.)

Students are "eligible" for open enrollment to out of state schools if the distance from their home is less than the distance to their official district school. But that comes with a cost, and because of geography, there would be no chance of reciprocal dollars coming back into the Decorah system. All parties seemed to agree that it would be good to "grandfather in" families who have students enrolled at Mabel-Canton. However, the Iowa Legislature and the Department of Education does not allow such a practice – they require an all or none practice that would deny all students, or approve any interested students who meet the distance requirements.

About 15 North Winneshiek residents were at the meeting, with several speaking in favor of open enrollment to Mabel-Canton.  Mabel-Canton Superintendent Gary Kuphal was also at the meeting, adding clarifying information about the situation.

The Board agreed to research the issue further, with data gathered regarding geographically eligible students and a survey regarding parties from North Winneshiek who might be interested in open enrollment to Mabel-Canton. Then a meeting will be convened with all three superintendents and board members from the schools to discuss possible solutions.