Last week at Cloquet School Board Meeting, Ken Scarbrough, who is the superintendent of the school assured its members that the district is putting all efforts to correct the tax impact miscalculation. Reports say that the inaccurate calculation of tax left property owners paying more than what is expected from them.
Pine Journal reported that the school is currently working with a financial consulting firm, Springsted Inc. Three lawyers were invited from the same firm in rectifying the tax error calculation. The Cloquet School Board needs to correct a $3 million tax miscalculation made by Sprinsted Inc. While Scarbrough and the school board members were present, the attorneys did not come to the special meeting. According to Duluth News Tribune, district attorney Frank Yetka, was out of town and couldn't come to the meeting.
Frank Yetka interpreted the 'indemnification clause' which is part of the contract with Springsted. Scarbrough said that the district can pursue recovery from Springsted if an action is brought against the school district and if the district suffers damages as a result of their action.
Ken Scarbrough urged everyone to extend their patience with the legal system and released a statement saying 'he is as concerned' as everyone who else. "Over the next two months, when the attorneys finish researching the issue, you will have a presentation to the board regarding possible outcomes," the superintendent said. He also said that he is planning to address the issue by writing an article and be published in Pine Journal this week and on the Cloquet School website.
Although Scarborough assured the people that the legal team and the school board members are making a progress, he emphasized that this miscalculation could have been avoided. Ken Scarbrough released a statement that the board members, including the district business manager, will set a meeting this week.
