Manhattan ? The Manhattan school district is considering suing the city over its decision to stop providing free water to the schools and city churches.

The school board met in closed session Wednesday with its attorney, a day after the city commission voted to stop providing the free water, beginning next summer.

School board member Walt Pesaresi says the board will publicly discuss the issue at its next meeting Nov. 17.

The practice began in 1887 under a stipulation in a deed when the city acquired land for its water plant.

The Manhattan Mercury reports that the city commission says the free water cost the city $47,500 last year, about $29,000 from schools.