Consolidation Watch: State Policies on an Important Rural Issue


Last Updated: September 29, 2010
 

This article appeared in the September 2010 Rural Policy Matters.

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Several states are addressing consolidation — but not all are promoting it. The following group of articles examines current consolidation news in South Dakota, Texas, Iowa, and Michigan.

South Dakota Candidates Speak Out Against Consolidation
Candidates for governor of South Dakota have spoken out against a state law that forces small districts to consolidate....

Texas Proposal Rewards District Cost-Sharing
Texas districts could receive a portion of their savings if they agree to share services....

Iowa Losing Rural School Districts
In the face of budget cuts and financial pressures, more rural Iowa districts are consolidating....

Calls for Consolidation in Michigan Reveal Many Issues
Calls to consolidate school districts in Michigan are raising all kinds of complicated issues and highlighting exaggerations, over-simplifications, and ideological motivations....

Read more from the September 2010 Rural Policy Matters.