North Dakota
State commission to mediate dispute between teachers union and school board in Mapleton
MAPLETON, N.D. — A state mediation team will hear a dispute over teacher contracts between the teachers union and school board for the Mapleton Public School District.
The North Dakota Education Fact Finding Commission will hold a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at the elementary school at 300 First St. in Mapleton, which is located halfway between West Fargo and Casselton.
Students, teachers, school employees and interested citizens are invited to attend and speak.
Mapleton Education Association President Jennifer Helland said the teachers union and school board are at an impasse over teacher salaries for the 2025-2027 contract.
“As required by Century Code, the fact-finding commission is then notified and they step in to assist us to hopefully come to the last, best proposals that we can agree on,” she said.
The school board is proposing a district-wide salary freeze due to financial difficulties, while the teachers union maintains a 3% cost-of-living increase is required under the teacher contract.
Helland said the teacher contract has a “maintenance of standards” clause that guarantees such an increase each negotiating cycle, as a way of attracting and retaining teachers.
“When the board came to us with a freeze, not only was their last offer regressive in terms of their offerings, it doesn’t uphold that maintenance of standards,” Helland said.
Josh Radcliffe, president of the Mapleton School Board, said everything in the contract, including that clause, is up for negotiation if one party brings it to the table.
“You can’t decide something today and expect it to hold true for the rest of forever,” he said.
The Mapleton Public School offers kindergarten through sixth grade, with students in upper grades attending school in either Casselton or West Fargo.
When the current building was constructed and opened in 2017, there were approximately 90 students; now, enrollment has jumped to about 240 students, Radcliffe said.
The district’s financial difficulties date back seven or eight years, he said, to mistakes made by a then-business manager.
While payroll taxes were taken out of employee checks, they were not paid to the state of North Dakota or to the Internal Revenue Service, Radcliffe said, and it’s taken years to climb out of the hole.
“We’re not in a good financial situation. Not extremely bad, but it’s not where we feel comfortable,” Radcliffe said.
The proposed pay freeze applies to all staff, including teachers, the superintendent, business manager, cooks, secretaries, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and janitors. The board also decided not to take pay for at least the next year, Radcliffe said.
Staff cuts were considered but met with opposition. The board has also discussed cutting its preschool program or sixth grade from the school, he said, because the district doesn’t have the funds.
Helland hopes members of the community will come to the hearing Tuesday.
“Having them come to support us as educators and their children in classrooms, and knowing that if things come to pass, where changes are made and class sizes grow … we want their voices to be heard,” she said.
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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