School merger passes in landslide

The public measure to consolidate the Clarion-Goldfield and Dows school districts passed 505-7 following a vote last Tuesday at the polls in Clarion-Goldfield. Timothy Nagel was elected as an at-large board member with 484 votes. Beth Jackson and Elizabeth Severson both won District One seats, with 415 and 405 votes respectively. None of these seats were contested.

A few weeks ago, superintendant Robert Olson was concerned about voter apathy. Needless to say, he was impressed with the turnout for the election.

“If you look at the history of how many participate in voting in the Clarion-Goldfield district, (the turnout for this vote was) more than we’re usually seeing for a school board election,” Olson said.  “We were pleased to see a larger number there. The vote is indicative of two school districts who are very supportive of education.”

Ultimately, 96 percent of voters in Clarion-Goldfield voted “yes” on the measure, and 86 percent in Dows. 

Read the full article in the Sept. 19 Wright County Monitor.