The Echo

Secret's Out on School Consolidation in Mississippi

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rural_education/2010/07/secrets_out_on_school_consolidation_in_mississippi.html
By Mary Schulken on July 13, 2010 4:56 PM

The facts are now out on school consolidation in rural Mississippi.

On Tuesday, local advocacy group Southern Echo posted on its web site a table and a map showing data used to recommend consolidation of 18 rural, high-poverty school districts in the state. The state commission studying consolidation and the consultant that prepared the report had kept that information secret, but Southern Echo and the non-profit MS Delta Catalyst Roundtable used the state's open records law to get the data from the state Department of Public Instruction.

That disclosure may provide additional fuel for groups such as Southern Echo that are fighting consolidation. Earlier this year, a commission appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour tentatively recommended merging rural, predominantly African-American districts in the Mississippi Delta. Then, in June, confronted with public criticism over secrecy and anger at the prospect of disbanding school districts, the commission asked for more time for its members to reach a consensus.

The consolidation debate in Mississippi began in January, when Barbour appointed a panel, the Commission on Mississippi Education Structure, to look at closing school districts in that state. Barbour has said he would like to see a reduction of the state's 152 districts to about 100, which he has said would save the state millions of dollars over time.

The table and map show the Quality Distribution Index (student performance) rankings, the enrollments, and the cost per student of central office expenses for the 2008-2009 school year for the 18 districts targeted for consolidation. The consultant's report based its projections of cost savings on that data.

Before the week is over, Sen. Karen Peterson is expected to present legislation in Dover to consolidate Delaware's 19 School Districts to four:

1) North Wilmington to North of the Canal

2) South of the Canal and Kent County

3) Sussex County

4) One statewide Vocational District

Rumor has it that the bill is only eight lines long, but it opens the door for serious consideration of Delaware's educational system.

There can be no argument: Delaware must do education differently if we are to produce successful, competent young people. Whether you believe education is a community issue, as I do, or think of it only as a parent's responsibility, we need to examine alternatives to the 19 fiefdoms. There are far larger school district in this nation that produce better prepared students.

It is the responsibility of our board members to make brave choices and advocate for their students. Is consolidation the right decision? Will it lower the cost of educating our students? Will local communities retain a voice in their schools? Will it lead to a lighter administration and a more teacher/classroom-centric environment? How will our district leaders enforce administrative accountability? We won't know until someone provides a comprehensive plan for all to study. But, it's time to open our minds and explore our options.

Sec. of Education Dr. Lillian Lowery has presented a plan to consolidate administrative services for public and charter schools into four state centers. It's a start. Such a plan could lead to a Reduction in Administrative Force as we eliminate duplicate effort. How our school districts respond to this first step in eduction reform will set the stage for what is to come.

The show has just begun.