Our organization is committed to supporting education by providing scholarships, mentorship, and resources to students from low-income backgrounds. We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future for all. Through our partnerships with schools and community organizations, we work to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Join us in our mission to make education accessible to all!
After a very disappointing Appeals court decision we went back to work. A couple things have happened. We now have 3 board members from both ends of the district. Too late to stop the closure but representation going forward. We recently set out to petition our state Legislatures with the task of splitting our current ISD 363 into two districts. We collected 285 signed petitions. Our next step was to get on the Koochiching County Board meeting agenda. July 22nd the Kooch County Board meeting was in Birchdale and many community members came out to witness the County Board make a motion and carry a motion to write a letter of support to our state Legislatures. Yay! Our legislatures were contacted and plan to meet with us to receive the signed petitions and a proposed bill to grant Koochiching County authority to separate the district, establishing boundary lines, taxing districts etc. The following letter was sent out on facebook following the County Board Meeting.
I am delighted to express my heartfelt gratitude to this outstanding community. The petitions presented at the county board meeting received a warm welcome. We witnessed a significant turnout for support, and a copy of the petitions will be forwarded to Senator Hauschildt and Representative Skraba, along with the proposed Bill. It is crucial that our voices are heard during the legislative session beginning early 2026. We can ensure our voices are heard by making phone calls and writing letters to our legislators, highlighting that our tax dollars are being utilized by a school district that our children do not attend due to geographical limitations. Thank you all again for your incredible support. We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful community.
The oral arguments will also be streamed online.
May 8 at 9:30 am
Go to : https://www.mncourts.gov/courtofappeals.aspx
Then click on: Links to this week's oral arguments
Select the link for the Save Indus Group case.
Summer came and summer went. For many the fight to Save Indus has been unwavering. The founding board is working through the process to set up a Charter School under the Volunteers of America Authorizer. The Charter Schools focus would be on Community Service types of education by laying the groundwork for some different trades to benefit our local communities . The process of opening a charter school takes up to 2 years. An online survey was created to attain public interest in reopening a school.
Right now as you all know, the elephant in the room is “What about the actual existing school building?” Unfortunately that has yet to be answered or determined. We know the school board, with our money, paid for an appraisal of the building. But we've received no information on what the board intends to do with the building.
A lawsuit was filed in the Minnesota Court of Appeals by the Save Indus Group (SIG). The attorneys have been hard at work drafting and filing pleadings, gathering facts and transcripts for the case, and preparing for oral arguments. This takes time, so we wait in regards to the lawsuit. Best case scenario we win the case and open the school then convert to a Public Charter School once that process is completed.
Indus Community Education Development(ICED) now formally established as a 501c3 has not stopped working.The nonprofit has held many different delicious fundraisers through the course of summer. The next one being our 4th Pizza event.
Based on popular demand we will be hosting a take and bake Pizza fundraiser at the Birchdale Hall on November 11 from 12 pm-7pm. MMMM homemade pizza at deer camp. We will have Pizza ovens available on site if you rather eat in or take your Pizza baked. You can
preorder Pizzas at Nelson Store if you choose.
Other than delicious fundraisers, ICED is working with Raise Right. With Raise Right you buy e-gift or physical gift cards and buy what you always buy, BUT the businesses donate a percentage to our cause. Another active and ongoing fundraiser is ICED’s new online store, where you can buy ICED swag at reasonable prices. This is a great way to show your unending support. There are many options with something for everyone.
Lastly in regards to fundraisers, indus community education development - ICED is now an option for employees of UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and UnitedHealth Group (through Benevity) for donation matching up to $1,500.00 annually. We ask you share this information with any family and friends that work there and make a donation.
Lots of cool ways for people to support the Save Indus Cause.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes the Steering Committee is working with Koochiching County Commissioners, Representative Skraba and Senator Hauschild, and the Minnesota Department of Education in regards to pursuing new district lines, with a goal for our property tax dollars to stop going to the current existing School District 363
An appeal has been filed! The attached documents basically show the existence of an appeal. Soon to come will be the Brief from Save Indus Attorneys with specific details of the Appeal.
Indus Community Education Development (I.C.E.D.)
We are advocates for our Students, Staff, and Community, now and into the
future.
Indus Community Education Development (I.C.E.D.) is organized and operated
exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 501 (C) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code. More specifically I.C.E.D is dedicated to supporting and
preserving accessible education, activities, and clubs for current and future
generations.
Indus Community Education Development (I.C.E.D.) is supporting the Save Indus
Group (SIG) in its efforts. We appreciate any and all support we receive.
The Save Indus Group (SIG) exists to challenge the ISD 363 School Board’s decision
to permanently close Indus School. Created through the Office of the Minnesota
Secretary of State, SIG has retained Minnesota SuperLawyer Marshall Tanick to
file an appeal with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The appeal will challenge
both the insufficient process that the school board followed to make their
decision and the lack of evidence to support its decision. SIG is formed as a
Business Trust, and will support the appeal financially as well.
A petition for Writ of Certiorari was filed with the Minnesota Court of Appeals on
Wednesday, July 26. That Petition gives the Court of Appeals a basic outline of the
case – who the two sides are, what issues the two sides are fighting about, and
the status of the case so far.
The Court of Appeals will assign the case to a panel of three Justices who will
decide the case. A briefing schedule will then be set. Our lawyer will write a brief
that discusses all the reasons that we believe the closure decision was legally
incorrect. After our brief is submitted the School Board’s lawyer will file their
brief defending the decision. Our lawyer will then file a brief replying to the
school board. This process usually takes several months.
The Court will then set a date for arguments. At the argument, the two lawyers
will present their cases before the judges, and the judges will ask the lawyers
questions. The arguments are open to the public.
The judges will then issue a written opinion deciding the case. The opinion is
issued within 90 days after the argument.