Consolidation consideration: When it comes to school districts, bigger isn’t always better

EDITOR:

Almost every article in The Vindicator has taken the position that regionalization of our schools is the only right and proper way to address the area’s decreasing population base. The cost savings realized would be used to provide free college tuition for the first two years for all graduating high school students and supposedly would be a big incentive to attract people to relocate to the Mahoning Valley. Anyone with differing views or legitimate concerns is portrayed as either stonewalling because of vested interests or non progressive and therefore need to be brushed aside.

 I spent about 30 minutes on the Internet the other evening and would like to highlight some of the things that I discovered. One article dealt with small schools and consolidations. The bottom line stated that “there are also reasons not to consolidate based on outcomes. Smaller school districts, although more costly, have better high school graduation rates.” The New Jersey League of Women Voters took up the study of school regionalization in 1979. Their study is apparently ongoing since their studies have been updated, the last one being in May of this year.

An alternative to regionalizing is the sharing of services. Like those in the Mahoning Valley, there is disagreement within the league as to regionalization although all of its members believe that school “districts should not be forced to join the unit nor to use its services.”

The state of Maine School Superintendents Association issued a report regarding school consolidation, regionalization and collaboration. Their position is that the purpose of a consolidation must be transparent and clearly laid out. They strongly support the use of a test program before any permanent changes are made and are in total opposition to forced school mergers. The lines of authority and decision making also need to be clearly lined out.

The Regional Chamber has used intimidation and basically has said to the schools regionalize or we will have the state force it upon you. These tactics leave a lot to be desired. I believe that what is best for this Valley should be decided by all of us and not just a select few. Give the residents enough credit for knowing what is best for them. Perhaps one of the best approaches is to start on a small scale such as the sharing of services and let the various school districts decide for themselves whether or not they wish to pursue regionalization

All sides of this issue need to be addressed. It is not a question of are you for us or are you against us. The most important matter is to be as certain as possible that whatever measures are taken they are the best ones for the Mahoning Valley. Our children’s future is riding on it. Don’t let them down.

GERALD HEITKAMP

Youngstown