Is anyone considering revisiting the consolidation of school districts? Asking because, while the initiative to do that some years ago failed, current circumstances (collapse of Isaac school district and struggles of other traditional government school districts) appear to warrant action along those lines. Put another way, it sure seems like having so many districts (58 school districts in Maricopa County alone) not only increases administrative costs but leads to a lack of real time accountability.
Oh that's a good thought. I should poke around on that idea. I remember when consolidation was all the rage but I haven't heard anyone talking much about the idea in the post-pandemic age. I'd be interested to see whose opinions have changed on the idea.
Based on my observations, teeny tiny districts can and should be absorbed by like/kind geographic neighboring districts. The problem is when a district is forced to absorb a smaller neighboring district (example, Scottsdale forced to take under its umbrella Fountain Hills and Cave Creek). Why is that a problem? Both FH and CC have excellent schools. Because, those populations refuse to pass bonds and overrides- which are essentially when the state legislature won’t adequately fund your needs.
I think if districts weren’t so reliant on overrides and bonds to operate- you’d see more districts willing to combine.
Tracking the evolving story of this week’s disclosure that 47 traditional government school districts face financial peril: (1) the alternative under discussion, folding some of these districts into more financially, healthy districts is one alternative - what also should be considered is whether it is feasible to place these kids in a more effective (both from a cost and learning perspective) alternative, for example, a charter school willing to expand or establish outposts in these areas (for example, Vista prep operates five thriving and effective schools in the same service area covered by the Isaac/Roosevelt districts), and (2) another useful area of inquiry would be the role played by the many education NGO’s in public education (having been a donor/volunteer in the education space for over 30 years, one of my great frustrations has been the explosion of nonprofits established by well-meaning philanthropists and activists, most of whom simply add to the “noise” and don’t do the hard work of actually educating kids - in the process, these organizations siphon off significant resources while diverting much of the best talent in education - IMO, this ends up distorting the discussion and does not lead to actually educating kids). Matt Ladner would be a great resource on this front, along with educators who are still active in the trenches (meaning operating and/or teaching in actual schools).
Is anyone considering revisiting the consolidation of school districts? Asking because, while the initiative to do that some years ago failed, current circumstances (collapse of Isaac school district and struggles of other traditional government school districts) appear to warrant action along those lines. Put another way, it sure seems like having so many districts (58 school districts in Maricopa County alone) not only increases administrative costs but leads to a lack of real time accountability.
Oh that's a good thought. I should poke around on that idea. I remember when consolidation was all the rage but I haven't heard anyone talking much about the idea in the post-pandemic age. I'd be interested to see whose opinions have changed on the idea.
Based on my observations, teeny tiny districts can and should be absorbed by like/kind geographic neighboring districts. The problem is when a district is forced to absorb a smaller neighboring district (example, Scottsdale forced to take under its umbrella Fountain Hills and Cave Creek). Why is that a problem? Both FH and CC have excellent schools. Because, those populations refuse to pass bonds and overrides- which are essentially when the state legislature won’t adequately fund your needs.
I think if districts weren’t so reliant on overrides and bonds to operate- you’d see more districts willing to combine.
It all comes down to money. Every single time.
Tracking the evolving story of this week’s disclosure that 47 traditional government school districts face financial peril: (1) the alternative under discussion, folding some of these districts into more financially, healthy districts is one alternative - what also should be considered is whether it is feasible to place these kids in a more effective (both from a cost and learning perspective) alternative, for example, a charter school willing to expand or establish outposts in these areas (for example, Vista prep operates five thriving and effective schools in the same service area covered by the Isaac/Roosevelt districts), and (2) another useful area of inquiry would be the role played by the many education NGO’s in public education (having been a donor/volunteer in the education space for over 30 years, one of my great frustrations has been the explosion of nonprofits established by well-meaning philanthropists and activists, most of whom simply add to the “noise” and don’t do the hard work of actually educating kids - in the process, these organizations siphon off significant resources while diverting much of the best talent in education - IMO, this ends up distorting the discussion and does not lead to actually educating kids). Matt Ladner would be a great resource on this front, along with educators who are still active in the trenches (meaning operating and/or teaching in actual schools).
I'm a paid sub, but I don't see any link to the Skywolf tracking list in the footer? Please advise.