I had the opportunity today to speak to a
reporter from the New Castle News, Rachel Sapienza. The topic was school
mergers. A few facts will set the table. Eighty five (85) percent of all
school districts in the state of Pennsylvania will raise their taxes for the
2016-2017 school year. Forty five (45) percent of all school districts across
the state will have less staff in 2016-2017. The bottom line is the state is
starving districts into submission. We have bills we cannot pay.
The state should look to willing partnerships.
Long before mergers occur, you will see shared services (occupational therapy,
physical therapy, speech and language, psychological services, administrative
services, etc.).
Mergers do not necessarily mean closing
buildings. Mergers do mean a more efficient use of staff. For example, if a
merged districts want to review or plan for class size, they must do simple math.
Take the number of students you have divided by the class size desired (22-25), and the number of classroom teachers needed will come to light. Do you
have enough staff? Do you have too few? Do you have enough special teachers
(gym, art, music, computer, etc.)? Do you have to few? Such an analysis will
reveal staff usage and any possible savings.
Mergers also mean an end to duplicative service.
One comprehensive plan is created. One special education plan is needed. One
audit will be done. Districts will also save on administrative costs.
The state needs to incentivize this conversation.
They need to provide money for a feasibility study and transition cost. Laurel
is a strong district. However, if we have a willing partner, we would be
foolish not to listen.
This sounds like a logical solution, however, the professional educator once again is taking the cut, taking the hit, taking the loss due to a lack of funds. No doubt educators will be furloughed. In the end, children will not truly get what they need, the bond, the continuity, the stability, the security of a full time teacher. Children will end up with traveling educators; teachers that are needed between two districts to cut costs- in essence cutting into a child's future. If this were to take place, I believe it would need to be highly organized and all educators and administrators would need to be in top of their game.
ReplyDeleteYou present some good points. Class sizes must remain stable and at an acceptable number. Mergers or any type of shared service/consolidation make no sense if the result is a lack or decrease in student achievement.
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