School network decision on the municipal executive’s table
Decision-making on Janakkala’s school network moves forward to the municipal executive’s meeting to be decided on April 13, 2026. The education committee decided on April 8, 2026 that schools will not be closed and the committee proposes, instead of closures, to stick to the pupil limit of 28.
The chief executive’s proposed decision differs from the committee’s decision. The proposal suggests closing Heinäjoki and Vähikkälä schools in summer 2026 and Tanttala and Virala schools in summer 2027.
– The municipal council, as the highest decision-maker, has decided on measures to balance the economy. One of the program’s measures is the closure of 2–4 schools and the savings target for this for 2026 has been set at approximately 250,000€. As chief executive I must comply with the council’s decisions and for this reason my proposed decision differs from the committee’s decision, says chief executive Riikka Moilanen.
No referendum on the school network
The municipality has received an initiative to hold a referendum to preserve Janakkala’s school network. The municipal executive’s proposal is that the referendum initiative be rejected. The final decision on the matter will be made by the municipal council on April 27, 2026.
The justification is that residents’ opinions have already been widely surveyed during the preparatory process concerning the planned school closures. In addition, the main way for residents to influence municipal matters is representative democracy; elected officials have been chosen to decide on matters.
The cost estimate for organising the vote is approx. 50,000€ based on the realised costs of previous municipal elections and referendums carried out by other municipalities.
The Ministry of Justice does not provide a system for conducting municipal referendums, which means, unlike other elections, more manual work.
New detailed plans for Rastikangas
In terms of zoning, the municipal executive will advance traffic arrangements for the Rastikangas business area. The municipal executive decides to begin detailed planning in the southwestern part of Rastikangas and along the extension of Rastikankaantie.
The detailed planning will create better access to plots in the southwestern part of the business area and prepare, in the long term, for smoother traffic on Turengintie. Rastikankaantie is planned to be extended to Rastilantie, allowing vehicular traffic to also travel northwards. A new street connection — via Rastilantie and Rastikankaantie to Turengintie — will in part calm the section of Rastilantie that runs through village-like housing.
– Developing the traffic arrangements in Rastikangas improves the accessibility of the business area and makes the area more attractive for investments. Smooth connections are a central competitive factor for companies, and with this solution we strengthen the municipality’s vitality and create conditions for new jobs, says chief executive Riikka Moilanen.
To the municipal executive’s meeting agenda. (In Finnsh)