316 K-12 LEADERSHIP PRACTICES
schooling. And that assumption is that “bigger is better.” Throughout the century,
this unsupported educational policy was vehemently espoused even though it was
demonstrably unkind to communities.Recommendations for Consolidations
Few studies provide recommendations for consolidation. The National Rural Education
Association provided the greatest leadership on the topic and commissioned a task force to
study consolidation and issue recommendations. The task force reviewed history, summarized
research, and offered conclusions and recommendations. The findings of the report (Purcell
& Shackleford, 2005) were:
- The educational and financial results of state mandated school district consolidations
do not meet legislated expectations. - There is no “ideal” size for schools or districts.
- Size does not guarantee success—effective schools come in all sizes.
- Smaller districts have higher achievement, affective and social outcomes.
- The larger a district becomes, the more resources are devoted to secondary or non-
essential activities. - Local school officials should be wary of merging several smaller elementary schools,
at least if the goal is improved performance. - After a school closure, out migration, population decline, and neighborhood
deterioration are set in motion, and support for public education diminishes. - There is not solid foundation for the belief that eliminating school districts will
improve education, enhance cost-effectiveness or promote equality. - Students from low income areas have better achievement in small schools.
METHODOLOGY
Purpose of study
The purpose of the study was to better understand the processes used in a school
consolidation. Specifically, the research questions focused on (1) What were the events in the
consolidation process? (2) What were the reasons for success? and (3) What advice is offered
by the Board of Education (BOE) and Superintendent for others considering consolidation?
Participants/Setting
The researcher examined the consolidation of two rural school districts in southeastern
South Dakota. The community populations were 412 and 360 and K-12 school populations
were 180 and 139. These communities were two of five small rural communities in a 20 mile
radius. The communities had traditionally been archrivals in all athletic events and this added
to the inconceivability that they would or could ever consolidate. The districts were similar in
several ways. Both communities have a rural economy, mainly from farming and are seven
miles apart. Both schools served a K-12 population and demonstrated academic success, with
one school being on the state “Distinguished School” list for academic achievement. Both
districts were experiencing small, about 10 students per year, declines in enrollment.