A Danish council member proposed counting special needs students in Bedsted School's total enrollment to prevent its closure. Opponents called the move electioneering and voted it down.
Bedsted School in Thisted Municipality has faced closure threats for two years. Local rules require schools with under 75 students for two consecutive years to be considered for shutdown. The school currently has just 63 regular students.
Brian Nielsen of Thy Borgerlige made his proposal during Tuesday's council meeting. He argued that including special class students would push the total above 75. "I believe it's wrong not to count all students at the school they attend," Nielsen stated during the debate. "We shouldn't have first and second-class students at one school."
The proposal found limited support. Only Jens Otto Madsen from the Red-Green Alliance and Ib Poulsen from the Liberal Alliance joined Nielsen in voting yes.
Twenty-four council members rejected the measure. Several opponents labeled it electioneering tactics. "This is clearly campaign posturing," claimed one council member during discussions.
The school's fate remains undecided. Public consultation continues until October 29. Council members emphasized they must review all feedback before November's final decision.
This debate highlights the tension between educational quality and rural community survival. Small Nordic towns often fight to keep local schools open against economic realities.