Superintendents: Schools need plant
Administrators pen letter to GRE regarding potential closure
BY ALYSSA MEIER
BHG News
McLean County superintendents came together this month in hopes of shedding some light on the potential dangers of the county’s coal plant closing.
A letter to Great River Energy CEO David Saggau, dated April 20, urges careful consideration of any actions regarding Coal Creek Station, which is reportedly undergoing financial troubles. The letter is signed by all six superintendents of McLean County Schools -- Garrison, Washburn, Turtle Lake/Mercer, Underwood, Wilton and Max.
“McLean County Superintendents have discussed the recent announcement from Great River Energy of the possible retirement of Coal Creek Station and the harmful economic effect it would cause our school districts, our cities, McLean County, and the State of North Dakota,” the letter states.
According to the superintendents, closure of Coal Creek Station would cause a threefold effect on McLean County, specifically in regard to its schools.
“1) loss of taxable valuation, 2) loss of coal production and coal conversion taxes, and 3) loss of students,” The letter states. “For each student that we lose in McLean County it is approximately $10,000 loss in revenue.”
Pointing out these adverse effects of losing the coal plant was important, said Garrison Superintendent Nick Klemisch.
“Our goal was to provide our position from a school district’s perspective to GRE to ensure they know how valuable the coal industry is to us all,” Klemisch said. “The coal industry is vital to the survival for many of our school districts, mine included. The taxable valuations accompanied with the offsets in our funding formula specific to coal would wreak havoc on all the districts within our area.”
Klemisch went on to explain the ripple effect of the plant closing, with students likely leaving local schools and individuals in other industries in the area losing their jobs.
