School Consolidation: What School Administrators Need to Know 319- The plan never stressed budget savings and did not over promise in any area.
- The major community concerns, in this case, no elementary combination classes and
no increased bussing, were provided for in the consolidation plan. - Each community retained a school.
- The early and gradual combination of athletic teams allowed time for adjustment.
- The process was made as transparent as possible. Public meetings were held,
information was frequently distributed in various ways, and tours of facilities were
conducted. - The process included the larger community, not exclusively the school community.
The researchers also sought to identify what advice, if any, the BOE members and the
Superintendent would offer to others considering a school consolidation. Interviews allowed
the superintendent and the board members to reflect on the process and offer their best advice
to others who might find themselves in a similar situation. The main themes that emerged
from the board members were:
- Plan ahead and look to the future.
- Keep your options open.
- Work toward one school district rather than two communities.
- Forget the past history between communities.
- Support both communities to create a win/win plan.
- Keep the needs of students first.
Advice from the superintendent was:
- Understand what’s happening in the legislature.
- Ask for help, e.g. state department of education, other superintendents.
- Keep the BOE informed and involved.
- Know your community.
- Communicate and hold public meetings.
While these pieces of advice may seem obvious, their application was challenging. They
provide a model for common-sense problem solving and decision making.
THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING
Rural schools exist in nearly all states and just as urban districts have unique challenges,
rural districts do as well. School consolidation is one of the most important issues facing rural
America, and yet, few school administrators know how to address the issue. The following
recommendations would benefit students training to be school administrators, especially in
rural schools:
- Build a knowledge base on the topic of school consolidation. Citizens expect school
administrators to be informed on the topic, as they are influential in the outcome. This
information is important to all administrators because of the state funding issues it
affects. Administrators in suburban or urban districts may not ever find themselves
part of a school consolidation process, but will certainly find themselves part of the
state funding debate, of which school consolidation is a major factor. Also as