GFW to hold special meeting Tuesday to discuss ways to escape debt

The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop School Board holds a special meeting tonight to possibly act on a plan to get out of Statutory Operating Debt. Earlier this month the board voted to close the Fairfax school beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.

The New Ulm Journal says a public hearing on the closure proposal was set for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Gibbon gym. The board is expected to make a final decision on the proposal after the hearing.

Board member Becky Vos suggested considering a one-school referendum with less of a land purchase than the referendum that was turned down last fall by about 200 votes. She also suggested considering keeping the Gibbon school and constructing a new school building.

The board earlier this month tabled action on a potential bond referendum and plans to act on a SOD plan at a special meeting tonight. Superintendent Lonnie Seifert said the school district is about $550,000 in debt and needs to reduce costs over the next couple years.

(JP Cola, KWLM)