Ryder annexation sees another day
Ryder annexation sees another day
Petition sees no opposition
By STU MERRY
One hurdle has been cleared in an effort to have land annexed from the Lewis & Clark District to the Max School District.
But like once before, the biggest hurdle remains – having the issue come before the state.
At a special fact-finding hearing Wednesday, April 24 at the Ward County Courthouse, McLean and Ward County Reorganization Committee members voted unanimously to favor parcels of land being annexed from one district to the other. The proposal now advances and will come before the North Dakota State Board of Public Education.
“This is the first step,” Ernest Medalen, Ward County Reorganization Committee member, reminded those in attendance. Speculation is that the state hearing could come in June. The state board generally meets the third Monday of the month, the group was told.
In previous hearings, both at the county and state level, school officials at Lewis & Clark were adamantly opposed to the proposal. Things were different this time.
Mike Lautenschlaeger, L&C board member, asked to testify first. He told the committee his district would support the request.
“ We will not oppose this,” he told the committees, adding that the Lewis & Clark board would be OK with what is proposed.
Lee Brandvold, one of those who asked that some Ryder area land be annexed to Max, said the annexation committee tried to come up with a map that was fair to both districts.
“We tried to keep the map as clean and simple as we could,” he said.
To educate students, Brandvold said it takes dollars. “We are happy with the Max District – we’d like to see this approved and that our tax dollars go to help the (Max) district,” Brandvold said.
As things stand now, Brandvold said neither he, nor his wife, Julie, could run for or vote for a candidate on the Max School Board.
“It makes you feel like you are not a complete part of the district,” he said. “If you allow us in, we would have that choice.”
