Pros to Consolidate Versus Deconsolidation of Public School Districts

Facts about and the Pros to Consolidation

Currently, the Kooskia schools, the Elk City school and the Grangeville schools are consolidated to be the Mountain View School District 244. Here are some facts about consolidation and the pros to the current situation:

• Rural school districts of the early 1900’s began consolidation

• Consolidations mean continuity in education curriculum

• Consolidations mean continuity in culture of education

• Consolidations mean continuity in structure of education

• Consolidation is usually the result of economic crises.

• Consolidated public school districts operate under a more efficient and economic model.

• Combined resources enrich students’ curricular offerings.

• Consolidated schools offer relief to challenging staff issues by combining or adding student services (special education, speech therapy, student counseling, etc.).

• A consolidated staff expands constructive expertise and experience.

• Consolidation expands extracurricular activities and academics.

• Consolidation equals increased student enrollment which translates to an increase in different community culture and social awareness.

• Consolidation saves money through economy of scale.

• A larger school district means a wider/larger tax base which means fewer or reduced tax levies.

• Consolidation would reduce the onerous burden of fund raising on merchants and community for underfunded student activities.

• Property values go up for small districts, not much for medium districts, and typically go down in large districts (2000+)

• Where there are 500 students or less, in a district, consolidation makes sense (economy of scale)

• The national trend is to consolidate. Some states mandate consolidation if enrollment falls below a given threshold.