Stillwater District Officials Pause on Closure of Schools

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) - Stillwater school officials won't shutter or attempt to sell school buildings until legal disputes are resolved in a decision to close three elementary schools.

Board members voted 4-2 Thursday to approve what is described as "an amended stay" of decisions related to the plan calling for the closure of the three schools. The board approved the plan in March.

Three legal challenges have reportedly been filed by opponents of the closures, alleging that the school closure process wasn't followed correctly by district leaders, that they misled parents in a capital levy campaign and had conflicts of interest that weren't disclosed. Those claims have been denied repeatedly by district leaders.

The first court hearing is set to take place in June.