Hämeenlinna Administrative Court issues decision on municipal appeal against service network decision

3.12.2025 News Participate and influence Administration Town council Service network Decision making

A woman holds a wooden gavel in her hand, which she is tapping against a small wooden platform resting on a white table. A bright, spacious conference room is visible in the background. — Photo: Jenniina Nummela

The Hämeenlinna Administrative Court has made a decision regarding the decision made by the Riihimäki City Council on May 6, 2024, to update the service network regarding the school and daycare network.

The municipal appeal requested the administrative court to overturn the council's decision, which, among other things:

The city is not building the Eastern School.
The city will abandon the allocation of Kalevantalo's temporary facilities for the use of Peltosaari School in 2026, and no new facilities will be allocated to the school.
The transfer of students from Peltosaari School to other schools is planned carefully and with the participation of all parties involved. The possibility of siblings and friends attending the same school must be taken into account.

In its decision, the Administrative Court overturns the City Council's decision regarding the closure of the Peltosaari School. According to the Administrative Court, the decision was made in an incorrect order, and the city has not reserved sufficient opportunities for influence as required by the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Administrative Court dismissed the appeal in other respects. The Administrative Court did not examine the ground of appeal concerning the collective bargaining negotiations.

"According to the Administrative Court, the parties involved were not consulted regarding the abandonment of the Peltosaari school, and they have not had the opportunity to influence the matter. We will examine the Administrative Court's decision and its significance in more detail. We will also assess to what extent we need to change our consultation practices as a result of the decision, for example in relation to the upcoming updating of the service network," says Mayor Jouni Eho.

At its meeting held on December 1, 2025, the City Board decided to propose to the council to update the early childhood education and basic education service network. Read more about the government's proposal in the city's press release.