Bemidji Area Schools

A motion to close and consolidate the Bemidji school, dispersing students to other area elementaries serving kindergarten through third grade, failed to pass on a 3-3 vote.

Bemidji Area Schools is considering consolidating its elementary schools by closing J.W. Smith, and community members are urging the Board to look at other options.

Parents and community members gathered at the J.W. Smith Elementary gymnasium for the Q&A session. The School Board will host a public hearing on March 24, 2026.

The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce's annual trip to St. Paul on March 5, 2026, included many first-time visitors who advocated on local issues.

The school district must now advertise the planned closure for two weeks before hosting a public hearing on the decision, which would go into effect this spring.

Wrestlers from Grand Rapids, Staples-Motley and Badger-Greenbush/Middle River topped the podium at state Feb. 28, 2026, with another 35 Northlanders from 12 teams winning medals.

The Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji Area operates a branch at J.W. Smith. Families and staff are concerned about the future of the grant-funded program if the school closes.

Student-athletes from 10 rural Northern Minnesota schools will compete at the state swimming and diving meet Feb. 26-28, 2026, in Minneapolis.

As the district looks to trim $3 million from its budget this spring, community members, teachers and parents rallied against the shuttering of J.W. Smith Elementary.

Warroad, Proctor-Hermantown and Bemidji represented the rural Northland in the girls hockey state tourney. Bemidji was the consolation runners-up.