The municipality is presenting three alternatives: maintaining the current structure, closing Skjerstad school and moving all students to Misvær, or moving grades 8-10 from Skjerstad to Misvær while keeping grades 1-7 in Skjerstad. The proposals are driven by declining student numbers in rural areas, recruitment challenges, and higher spending on building operations per student compared to similar municipalities. Municipal Director Kjell Hugvik said the proposals are significant for local communities and that consultation responses will be crucial for further assessments.
Meanwhile, the government is allocating between 3.5 and 4 billion additional Norwegian kroner to municipalities and county municipalities next year. However, much of the funding will be consumed by the aging population, and one-third of municipalities still face economic challenges, according to Minister of Local Government Bjørnar Skjæran. Municipalities received the allocation with disappointment, said Gunn Marit Helgesen, chair of KS, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities.