School Officials Debate Proposed Land Transfer
School officials from Froid and Bainville provided information during a hearing held in Wolf Point regarding a possible land transfer.
The matter involves petitioners Josh and Jaclyn Davidson requesting their land be transferred from the Bainville School District to the Froid School District.
A similar case involving petitioners Rick and Carol Davidson and Culbertson schools was dismissed earlier last week because there’ are no children residing at that property.
During the hearing in front of Powder River County Superintendent of Schools Molly Lloyd on Friday, Jan. 16,, Josh Davidson explained that his children attend school in Froid. He and his father also attended school in Froid.
Josh Davidson said that he wants his tax money to benefit Froid’s school. The territory proposed to be transferred is Township 29 North, Range 57 East and consists of 1,123.30 total acres.
Froid Superintendent of Schools Steve Mayhue said the transfer would allow the Davidsons to be more active in the school, vote in school elections and possibly be a school board member.
Mayhue and school district clerk Joyce Harvey each explained there will be little financial impact to Bainville with the transfer. They estimate the figure to be between $3,000 and $12,000.
Attorney Robert Stutz said the Davidson family has been extremely involved in the Froid community including the school and the school’s foundation. “They really put themselves out to support students and schools.”
Froid School Board member Blake Murray said, “The Davidson family has always been a part of the Froid community.”
Murray said the board tries to represent the people of the Froid community. “I support them bringing in the taxable value of their land to our school district. They are part of the Froid community and not the Bainville community.”
Attorney Samantha Howard, representing Bainville Schools, said that she doesn’t feel that being a potential school board member is a sufficient reason for decreasing Bainville school’s budget by 4 percent.
Bainville Superintendent of Schools Darin Hannum reported that the school district losing that land could result in a potential loss of $125,000 to the school district. That includes a reduction in the oil and gas allowance because it’s based on the general fund.
“That’s three beginning teachers,” Hannum said.
He added that other property owners would need to pay higher taxes.
Bainville School Board member Dana Berwick said an approved transfer could result in a domino effect. He pointed out that there are long-time Bainville School families who reside in the Culbertson School District. Individuals in those situations could petition for land transfers as well.
“These boundaries haven’t changed for a long time,” Berwick said.
It was also noted during the hearing that permits are being sought for 80 new oil wells in the Bainville and Froid area. That could be another possible financial loss for Bainville School if oil is found on the proposed transfer land.
Attorney Stutz argued that there have been few land transfer requests made during the years, so he doubts that a decision in this case would “open the floodgates.” He added there hasn’t been any oil and gas development conducted on the Davidson property.
Lloyd said she will provide a detailed decision on Thursday, Feb. 5.
