Leaders of the Navajo Nation welcomed a decision to maintain the boundaries of a public school district that crosses the reservation.

The Central Consolidated School District includes communities on and off the reservation. Some parents off the reservation sought to split away from the district.

"Drawing a district boundary along lines to distinctly separate certain communities is not in the best interest of our children," Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera said in a letter. "The diverse populations in Kirtland and Shiprock serve as an opportunity to teach our children about what it truly means to work together."

Navajo leaders and parents testified against the split at a public hearing last month.

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State won't split CCSD (The Farmington Daily-Times 6/9)