Case StudyEDAD 948

Instructional LeadershipDr. Jody Isernhagen

BySara Fridley

Annika RussellDianne SelchertSandy Selland

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this study is to answer questions regarding consolidation of the Artesian/Letcher, Woonsocket, and Alpena school districts into one district.

Case Study Questions

1) Will it be cost effective to combine the districts?

2) Will students benefit from the consolidation?1) Course offerings2) Sports Implications3) Transportation

1) Time on bus2) Mileage

3) What implications will consolidation have for staff?

4) What questions do community members have?

1) Will it be cost effective to combine the districts?

Q1A – If each town keeps a school in operation for certain grades, how much would this cost as opposed to one facility?

It would depend . . . . Specific numbers can’t be given with

determination of exact scope of each operation Staffing needs Building maintenance needs Student numbers in each building

Might be a desired short-term measure but would raise eventual costs

Q1B – What will it cost to reorganize into one school and build a new school?

Important question – with no exact answers yet!

Q1C – How will a new school district save money as compared to keeping the existing 3 districts?

Money could be saved in the following area: Administrative salaries Custodial & maintenance salaries Utility costs Transportation costs Salaries of duplicated staff Improved utilization of supplies & equipment

Q1D – Would taxes be increased if a new school district were created?

Depends on these factors economic conditions future board

decisions Could increase Could stay the

same Could decrease

2) Will students benefit from the consolidation?

Course offerings Sports implications Transportation

Time on bus Mileage

Q2A – Would the new curriculum for the consolidated district include more courses?

Potential for new courses would be increase

Decisions on course offerings based on Compliance with state standards Board decisions

Student needs would be addressed in the final reorganization plan

Q2B – What will happen to athletic activities when the districts are consolidated?

Extra-curricular activities are local matters Also subject to SD High School Activities

Association & State Board of Education Based on total enrollment of grades 9-12 Combined enrollment from the 3 districts

would suggest Class 11-B in football Class A in other sports & co-curricular activities

Q2C – How will transportation for school activities be handled?

New school board would determine transportation policies

Should be more efficient if there is a central location

Buses will run where needed as required by law

Option of paying parents mileage for transporting children

3) What implications will consolidation have for staff?

Q3A – What administrative and academic staff would be needed for the new district?

Staffing would depend on contents of consolidation plan

New district is committed to employ sufficient staff for To teach mandated standards Meet the needs of the students Manage the facilities

Attrition would probably account for reduction in force

List of anticipated staff requirements in each specific area was distributed

4) What questions do community members have?

Q4A – Why should Alpena, Artesian-Letcher and Woonsocket consolidate at this time?

Prudent solution to eventual closings of all 3 schools Declining enrollments (27% decline in 5 years) Aging school facilities (safety issue) Inadequate capital and operating income

(fiscal issue) Could be mandated by the State

Legislatures looking at forcing consolidations Takes away local choice

Q4B – Can the school districts continue as 3 separate districts?

Yes – they could remain as they are today. However . . . . . .

Decreasing enrollment means less financial support in the future

School board members become personally liable for deficit spending

Deficit spending is not an option Existing facilities need replacement

Buildings all have existing fire code violations Higher educational standards would be difficult to

meet

Q4C – How is consolidation accomplished?

Procedures are specified in SDCL (South Dakota Codified Law) 13-6-10

First procedure is prepare a reorganization plan

Q4D – What if one school district doesn’t want to consolidate?

A district could withdraw from the plan prior to approval by State Secretary of Education

If an election were held, the wishes of the district would be determined by results of the vote.

Q4E – If there are school district size requirements, what are they?

There are no current requirements for size of a school district.

Estimate of consolidated size would be between 475 and 500 (all 3 districts) students

Open enrollment could effect numbers

Q4F – Is a new school necessary, and if so, is one location best?

Little advantage in consolidating if a new school isn’t built

Advantages of a new building Reduce separate costs for heating & maintenance Eliminate duplication of services Provide improved academic atmosphere

Location is the most important element Survey results

Majority of Woonsocket patrons want the building in Woonsocket

Majority of other patrons want building centrally located

Q4G – If an election to consolidate is held and the vote is for consolidation, when would it become effective?

New district would become effective July 1 Before new school year

begins All other time frame

elements must be met Order of Secretary of

Education must be issued by March 1

Q4H – Is there an overlapping period of time between continued operation of the existing districts and the beginning of the new district?

No overlapping period Existing districts would cease to

exist on that July 1 New district becomes operational

on same date

Q4I – Would new board members be selected, and how many? When would their terms begin?

New board must be selected State law requires 5, 7, or 9 Elected in accordance with SDCL 13-8-6b Terms of 1-3 years initially and 3 years

thereafter Shall take office as soon as convenient if

elected on or before the first Monday in May

Q4J – Can property owners withdraw from the newly approved school district?

Property owners may petition for withdrawal State law provides for

this option Called a “minor

boundary change” Petitions must be

approved by both sending and receiving boards

Q4K – How can it be certain that everyone will pay his or her fair share of taxes for the new school district?

Reorganization plan makes a provision for adjustment of assets between existing districts

Future fairness would depend on board decisions Setting tax rates Working with counties Adopting budgets

Q4L – How are the existing obligations of the 3 districts met after the reorganization is completed?

Invoices must be presented in a reasonable and timely fashion to existing boards Payments would be made by existing board

SDCL provides for transfer of liabilities to the new board Payments would be made by new board

Q4M – What is the condition of the current school buildings and what will happen to them?

Current buildings have been well-maintained but are very old and deteriorating

All have numerous fire code violations & limited handicap accessibility

Higher maintenance costs are expected in future

Antiquated boiler systems (referenced Plankinton school tragedy)

Gymnasiums could continue to be utilized

Q4N – What about water, electricity, and sewer services, and fire and police protection?

Costs will vary depending on location & size of new building

Fire and police protection adequate for either a rural or

town location Water & Sewer

Woonsocket & Letcher have city water towers

Option of rural water or a well Electrical costs would depend on size of

building

Methodology

Survey Patrons were surveyed by

mail Patrons were asked about

Opinion of consolidation Concerns they had Location of future school

Results of that mail survey helped identify issues of importance to patrons

Interview Case study group

created an interview form

Each member of the group interviewed 5 district patrons

Results were included in our case study

Findings

Most patrons favor consolidation ONLY IF Future school is located in their own existing district Taxes don’t increase

Location is the most important issue to voters Location will “make or break” the consolidation vote No easy compromise available

Community members had very little information at this time about the consolidation plan.

Prevalent Themes

Fear is a huge issue in consolidation effort Communities fear they will “die out” without a school Fear of loss of local control Staff fear losing jobs

Competition between existing districts What will be kept of existing traditions? Who has the best teachers? Curriculum? Programs?

Lack of knowledge prevalent Patrons don’t really know much about school

finances Rumors run rampant