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Consolidation of Schools: Is it the thing to do?

By Scott Ferguson
Executive Director

Consolidation of school districts is an idea that has been around for many years because many state policy makers have reasoned that it would save money. John Connally, while Governor of Texas in the 60’s, commissioned a massive study to show that consolidation would do just that. Connally’s study even went so far as to identify those school districts that should be consolidated. As a result there were a good many consolidation elections by Texas districts that wanted to pick their own neighbors as opposed to those proposed by the Governor’s study. The Texas Legislature, which was rurally oriented in those days, did not go along with the Governor and the matter died.

Senator Ratliff, who was a great friend of public education throughout his career, came to the Texas Senate convinced that there ought to be a great deal of consolidation in East Texas. He later changed his mind. Talk of consolidation began to wane as events like the shootings at Columbine in Colorado were repeated and the root cause seemed to be that the shootings were perpetrated by students who felt alienated at their school, which is a condition that is more likely to exist in larger schools.

Studies of the cost effectiveness of consolidation have always yielded mixed results, but the most recent study in West Virginia, A Decade of Consolidation: Where are the savings? by education researcher Cynthia Reeves indicates that the savings simply aren’t there. West Virginia closed 202 school districts between 1990 and 2000 under state pressure in order to save money.

What have the results shown? West Virginia increased per pupil spending more than any other state in the nation. Student test scores and graduation rates remained near or below the national averages. In 2000, West Virginia topped the nation in the percentage of teenagers not in school or employed.

Where did they spend the money? A great deal of it went to transport students longer distances to bigger schools farther from home. Transportation costs rose 10 percent by 2000, when they consumed seven percent of the states education spending. This was more than any other state. Maintenance and operating costs of the new and bigger buildings were supposed to cost less, but those expenditures jumped 11 percent (or 25 percent if measured on a per pupil basis). Administrative costs, which are always singled out for promised savings through consolidation, actually rose 8 percent with an increase in central office administrators of 12 percent. During that same period, teacher salaries in the state only increased by five percent to $36,751 which is 17% below the national average.

Incidentally, parents in Lincoln County, West Virginia have sued the State Superintendent of Schools, and the Lincoln County Superintendent of Schools appointed by the state when it took over the school district in July 2000. They are charging that these officials coerced the Lincoln County Board of Education into adopting a comprehensive educational facilities plan calling for the closure of four local high schools and the construction of a single countywide high school.

The parents say the decision to close their schools failed to adequately consider:

1. The advantage of smaller community schools;

2. Less costly, but equally effective means of delivering a better curriculum especially through distance learning;

3. The impact on extra curricular participation;

4. The impact on parental participation;

5. The health and safety effects of long bus rides;

6. The negative effect of larger schools on academic achievement of low-income children nd special needs students.

The case goes on trial just as Governor Bob Wise has replaced key members of the state Board of Education with anti-consolidation appointees and announced that consolidation is no longer considered a desirable state policy.

Let us hope that as talk of consolidation grows among members of the current urban-oriented Texas Legislature, they will consider what has happened in West Virginia and leave the matter of consolidation to local districts as they have always done in the past.

For additional information see A Decade of Consolidation: Where Are the Savings? by educational researcher Cynthia Reeves of Challenge West Virginia. Download it free at Challenge West Virginia or order a hard copy for $15 from Challenge West Virginia, 801 Gorden Drive, Charleston, WV 25303. You can also read The Devil is in the Details: Rural-Sensitive Best Practices for Accountability Under No Child Left Behind at The Rural School and Community Trust, which can be downloaded as a PDF file.

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A Word from the President

By Graham Sweeney
President
Boles ISD

I am very pleased to be serving as your President, particularly because so many have stepped up to help in this time of great need in our educational system. Scott Ferguson is a very valuable leader and has already made a number of improvements in our administrative operations. Kim Thompson, of course, continues her incredible work and faithfulness to our organization. The National Rural Education Association's Bob Mooneyham has also been a kind example to this state’s chapter.

Communication within the organization is continuing to grow and improve through several avenues. Visits to the education service centers, started in January by Blake Powell, Duncan Ragsdale and myself will continue through the spring. These offer a chance for non-member school districts to see the value of our organization. They also help to build unity and fellowship with current member districts by allowing informal dialogue regarding topics important to them. The TREA website serves as a home base for members and interested parties highlighting our recent activities. Be sure to check out our banquet pictures from January or back issues of The Rural News, another tool in our organization’s communication growth.

As we wait for the legislature here and in our nation’s capitol to decide so many important matters to our rural districts, be sure to read our article by Scott Ferguson reporting on the happenings in West Virginia’s education system. It will be of special interest to our superintendents and board members concerning consolidation.

I would like to close with some remarks by State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster of Wisconsin in January. She states, "Rural districts really are the foundation of this state's educational history...we must look to the unique characteristics and unique challenges of small districts...in replacing many small districts with a few larger ones, we lost much, and in many cases gained little, through consolidation...the school district is the town's identity...the school provides the cultural and entertainment heart...in larger districts and larger schools, that level of community is emulated.”

We have much to teach in rural schools, whether in Wisconsin or Texas. But as Burmaster continues and concludes, "...Stay strong. There is a lot of hard work ahead, but now more than ever before, it is important to lift the hope-filled hearts of our rural children up to their dreams.”

Please call on any of us at TREA if we may be of help to you.

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Introducing TREA's Ambassador

The Rural News is excited to introduce you to TREA's newest (and smallest) member, Abby the Armadillo!

Based on the popular education tool, Flat Stanley, Abby will be traveling to member districts and 'reporting' on her experiences. Each district is charged with showing Abby what makes their district unique or simply highlighting an average "day in the life" of students and educators. Her adventures are open-ended and flexible in order to allow educators the freedom to meet the demands of a TEKS driven education while infusing creativity and adventure. Whether in central administration, a high school computer lab or an elementary language arts lesson, Abby's stay is sure to be beneficial to all and the result will make an excellent addition to our newsletter each month.

To welcome Abby to your district, please contact Adrienne.