Clearwater Is 'Not Interested In Being Absorbed'

While merger talks have stalled, Clearwater remains open to discussions — but has made one thing crystal clear. They will not be absorbed.

Following a unanimous 6-0 vote by Ewing on Wednesday night to withdraw from merger talks with Neligh-Oakdale, Clearwater Board President Amy Thiele made her district's intentions clear.

“We are always open to keeping doors open. However, I would like to address that we have never once said that we are interested in closing our building down and sending all of our students to Neligh. Some people call it absorption. We are not interested in being absorbed," she said. "That’s never been on our radar. We started this project to increase our offerings for our students, flexibility in our staff schedules and there was a bonus on some tax savings on the side of that. We don’t want to be absorbed. And we can keep the doors open but, if that is the road you want to pursue, we just want to say that we are not interested.”

Although Ewing withdrew from talks, the motion was only toward Neligh-Oakdale. There was no mention of Clearwater. 

Just two nights earlier, Neligh-Oakdale board members discussed absorbing Clearwater and no longer including Ewing in the mix. Neligh-Oakdale also suggested four potential sites for a new school, all of which were no further than 4.5 miles from Neligh. Three of the sites would be within city limits, pending annexation. 

Thiele, who is originally from Neligh, said no board should have more control than any other in making decisions.

“I’d like to address, our doors are open. But, I think there were some concerns that because one school was bigger that the other’s district, people were worried that they were going to have more say. Or they were going to have more control. Well, we are all on an equal playing field. I remember hearing Ryan (Koinzan) say at one meeting, 'I grew up on 411 K, and I am from Neligh.' Well, I would just like to say, I grew up at 210 D, and I was from Neligh," Thiele said. "And we are all here to educate our kids. It doesn’t matter how big our town is, how many students. We are on an equal playing field because we all have one job sitting up here. And that is to provide the best education for our kids. And nobody is compromising down. Nobody. We are equal.” 

It's unclear if talks between Neligh-Oakdale and Clearwater or Clearwater and Ewing will continue at this time.