Comments on: February 2009 – Pennsylvania School District Consolidation http://wclark.edublogs.org/2009/03/05/february-2009-pennsylvania-school-district-consolidation/ Milton Area School District Superintendant Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:21:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: jvankirk http://wclark.edublogs.org/2009/03/05/february-2009-pennsylvania-school-district-consolidation/comment-page-1/#comment-71 jvankirk Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:41:42 +0000 http://wclark.edublogs.org/?p=33#comment-71 On the other hand, if the CSIU becomes the new school district, the CSIU would no longer be needed, Hmmm... Now that's a lot of money re-directed to the district! On the other hand, if the CSIU becomes the new school district, the CSIU would no longer be needed, Hmmm… Now that’s a lot of money re-directed to the district!

]]> By: jvankirk http://wclark.edublogs.org/2009/03/05/february-2009-pennsylvania-school-district-consolidation/comment-page-1/#comment-70 jvankirk Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:36:41 +0000 http://wclark.edublogs.org/?p=33#comment-70 I have considered this issue carefully. Back in 1967, when Northumberland Joint Schools merged with Sunbury Area Schools, it took a few years for "Owls and Pineknotters" to make peace as "Braves," but most students recognized that the combination of resources afforded better opportunities for all. That was then. Now, with so much available online, I'm not so sure consolidation will benefit students that much. In fact, once there are enough computer stations, we should see huge savings in texts and publications. The concern I would have is whether bussing would become a burdensome cost or not. Consolidation of sports teams could be a plus, but fewer kieds would see a chance to be "best." Administrative costs for districts can be hancled by the district with creative spending policies, full-time grant-writers, etc. Taxes, being a percentage of rising values should not have to increase, if spending is wise. Nope, I don't believe further consolidation is very wise, unless it be in geographically close communities - and even then, the number of "top o'the class" kids goes... I have considered this issue carefully. Back in 1967, when Northumberland Joint Schools merged with Sunbury Area Schools, it took a few years for “Owls and Pineknotters” to make peace as “Braves,” but most students recognized that the combination of resources afforded better opportunities for all.

That was then. Now, with so much available online, I’m not so sure consolidation will benefit students that much. In fact, once there are enough computer stations, we should see huge savings in texts and publications. The concern I would have is whether bussing would become a burdensome cost or not. Consolidation of sports teams could be a plus, but fewer kieds would see a chance to be “best.” Administrative costs for districts can be hancled by the district with creative spending policies, full-time grant-writers, etc. Taxes, being a percentage of rising values should not have to increase, if spending is wise.

Nope, I don’t believe further consolidation is very wise, unless it be in geographically close communities – and even then, the number of “top o’the class” kids goes…

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