School Consolidation Issues Surface Once Again
As the realities of the current nation-wide recession have started to be reflected in Montana’s own state budget projections for the next biennium, MREA has been observing and monitoring a disturbing, yet very predictable, trend among a number of policy makers, agencies and groups that have all started “dusting off” the same tired old school consolidation arguments which we have seen presented during every economic downturn here in Montana for decades.
This past year the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) has released one of the latest and perhaps more comprehensive analysis of the issues. MREA would strongly encourage the careful consideration of these findings. The entire report has been posted under “resources” on this website.
In Particular please note Pages 1—3 and the Executive Summary recommendations which include :
“Legislative mandates for consolidations or mergers are not sound policy and should not occur because:
- They do not have the necessary input from those directly affected.
- The research shows adverse student achievement.
- The research shows no documented savings.
- There is a lack of consideration of geographic and demographic elements of the resulting school districts.
Mergers have substantial local impact, and local districts need to have a clear voice in the ultimate result.
If the state wants to reduce the number of districts it needs to encourage merger by providing incentives and assistance such as:
- Funding for front-end costs
- Financial assistance to address “leveling up” (of salaries) or legislative relief.
- Technical assistance to districts for merger studies.
- Technical and financial assistance with curriculum alignment.
- Financial assistance to cover administrative costs….”
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