From 500 to 100
Gov. Ed Rendell wants to merge school districts in the state. As of July 1, there will be 500. He thinks 100 is all that is necessary. Rendell wants a state commission to determine boundary lines and come up with two recommendations. If the state Legislature doesn't approve one of them, then Rendell wants the state Board of Education to decide. He believes this is a way to save the state money and potentially reduce taxes.
Do you think it will save money? Do you think it's a good idea? What districts could be consolidated?
Do you think it will save money? Do you think it's a good idea? What districts could be consolidated?
Labels: Merger, school districts
posted by Dawn Keller at
11:10 AM
4 Comments:
This idea is long overdue, but will meet with plenty of resistance from people who feel they will lose "local control" to teachers' unions, for obvious reasons.
I think it's a great idea. I've never seen the need for a Trinity and a Washington school district - it's just silly. However, I do think people will fight it tooth and nail. For some valid reasons but a whole lot of stupid reasons.
I wonder if it will fall some where in the middle as a compromise - say 300 districts instead of 100. I also wonder how this commission Gov. Rendell wants will go about selecting new boundaries for districts.
Dawn
I don't believe 100 school districts for the state of Pennsylvania is realistic. Should some districts consolidate resources and save money, yes it would make sense for districts with extremely small enrollments. However, with many of our school districts having small enrollments and large geographic areas to consider, consolidation may not be an effective use of their money and resources. For children who already ride the bus for an hour or more to get to school and home each day, consolidating could mean an increased riders time, which will make parents even more unhappy than they are now.
Certainly, something needs to be done to even out the inequalities of our "local" education system, but 100 districts will not be the answer.
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