The Daily News

A Minnesota state review over North Dakota students attending the Breckenridge School District tuition-free has closed.

An e-mail from the state education department said students identified as North Dakota residents are not being claimed for state aid during the 2009 fiscal year.

Corrections to the reports were made within the reporting timelines, said Christine Dufour, deputy communications director, in an e-mail. The district's student reports for the 2009 fiscal year were updated with the state on Oct. 27.

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"The issues have been resolved," she said.

If the district was overpaid in tuition this year, aid adjustments will be made to the payments in 2010, she said.

"This is common among districts because they are paid on estimates throughout the year," she said, adding final entitlements are computed after the school year is over and when actual student data has been reported.

A state review over six North Dakota students attending the district tuition-free was prompted by a concerned parent in September. In order to comply with non-resident tuition rules, a Minnesota district must agree to a tuition payment through a child's guardians or the school district of the child's residence.

Dufour said Warren Schmidt, interim superintendent, responded to all of the state's queries and provided a list of all students verified as North Dakota or Minnesota residents.

Schmidt said he had no further comment.

Comments

MOVE ON wrote on Nov 12, 2009 2:44 PM:

" Come on people - change the subject... "




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No Name Needed wrote on Nov 12, 2009 12:28 PM:

" I for one commend the taxpayer who brought this issue to the light of day. Unfortunately they had to put up with a lot of backlash to do this, simply because they did what was right and just.
Thank you concerned taxpayer for saving all of us Breckenridge taxpayer’s a lot of money. There should be more courageous people like you in the world- who stand up for what is right! "




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Replying wrote on Nov 11, 2009 8:59 PM:

" Referring to the comment of:
"OUR school district" and "Our kids" -
you mean, In MINNESOTA!!!
Our school district and our kids in MINNESOTA!
Don't worry, the kids are being educated. But when you refer to OUR ECONOMY - Please BE CONCERNED WITH OUR MINNESOTA TAX DOLLARS which are suppose to educate MINNESOTA KIDS of MN taxpayers. "




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sick of it wrote on Nov 11, 2009 7:42 PM:

" Lets move on. Our kids deserve this district/community to focus on their education, not this never ending conflict. Our economy stinks, jobs disappearing in every industry. Lets get our kids educated, give'm a chance to get a good job and have a successful future. Let the administation and board do their jobs, I don't aggree with everything they do, but I believe that they are doing what they believe is best for our children, educate them! Please, Breckenridge School District residents, quit looking for anything to attack our school district, we need to move on, for our kids! Thank You. "




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answering simple question wrote on Nov 11, 2009 1:54 PM:

" Your question about obtaining MN residency when you live in ND;
one may attempt to use a MN PO box or a MN address, but these options would not be valid if your primary dwelling is in ND. "




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Wahpeton Resident wrote on Nov 10, 2009 12:24 PM:

" Still confused...Have you called the Superintendent or a school board member
and asked the question? "




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still confused wrote on Nov 10, 2009 10:31 AM:

" So why did we spend over $14,000 on attorney bill again this past month? Almost $9000 to Mpls and over $5000 to Fergus attorney? Why oh why won't someone explain these expenses? "




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commenting wrote on Nov 6, 2009 5:03 PM:

" No drama here, unless you'd like to kick some up? Only valid comments re: appropriate use of MN tax dollars, thanks to MN Dept. of Edu. "




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I like ACTION wrote on Nov 6, 2009 4:03 PM:

" DRAMA vs ACTION ......
Minnesota State Taxpayers applaud the ACTION that was taken to save aproximately $42,000 + per year. "




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Thank you wrote on Nov 6, 2009 11:37 AM:

" THANK YOU, to State Rep. Paul Marquart & MN Dept. of Education as they continue to monitor the process. This has gone on far too long & has cost the state of MN. "




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me wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:11 PM:

" Again...less drama please. "




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Agreeing wrote on Nov 5, 2009 3:14 PM:

" Agreeing with "concerned."
The school district shouldn't have allowed ND (resident's)children, to continue to be educated by the state of MN. Thanks, to the MN State Representatives, MN Dept. of Education, & all concerned taxpayers & citizens. "




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confused wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:17 AM:

" So the students from Wahpeton are no longer attending school in Breck? Did they have to transfer to Wahpeton? It's great that some ND parents think our MN schools are superior. Glad this is all cleared up now and the school is complying with the law. It has gone on way too long. What kind of example are we setting for the kids to allow this to continue. "




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taxpayer wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:06 AM:

" Taxpayers applaud the fact that hopefully, now, the law will be followed. MN taxpayers pay for MN resident's children. Thank MDE for enforcing the law. "




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Concerned wrote on Nov 5, 2009 8:06 AM:

" Great that the state has put a stop to this activity, sad that it took someone coming forward to force the district to make some changes. "




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me wrote on Nov 4, 2009 6:37 PM:

" I am glad that the issue was resolved, still not happy with the way
citizen(s)brought the conflict forth. Could have been handled A LOT less dramatically. "




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Amazed wrote on Nov 4, 2009 4:45 PM:

" Glad to see that they got this issued cleared up so quickly after so many years of it happening. "




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