Editorial: Seeking smart ways to cut school costs

At one time in Minnesota's history, more than 1,000 public school districts dotted the landscape -- some consisting of a single one-room schoolhouse. Now that number is down to 340 districts, serving about 830,000 students.

In 1978, academic pairing legislation was passed to help districts share staff, programs and students. About a decade later, a cooperation and combination statute was adopted to provide grants to encourage more permanent consolidations. As a result, through the decade of the 1990s, 76 new school districts were created from 171 districts.

Now with today's tight economy and the related squeeze on school finances, it is crucial to consider ways to further streamline and consolidate school operations.

As the Legislature grapples with closing a $4-plus billion deficit, there is momentum behind efforts to find school savings.

Earlier this session, a bill with bipartisan support was introduced to create a list of preferred vendors for services, including school materials, supplies, food service and transportation. Unfortunately that proposal was voted down on the Senate floor recently, but its authors wisely intend to resurrect it later in the session.

Two House proposals also address the issue. Rep. Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, introduced a bill that would give a handful of $100,000 grants to encourage small rural districts to merge. And last week, a proposal authored by Reps. Marsha Swails, DFL-Woodbury, and Carol McFarlane, R-White Bear Lake, passed in a key House education committee. Their plan would create a clearinghouse for best practices to help school districts share services. Such a center, the representatives say, could be a model for service sharing efforts between city, counties and other local units of government.

Governors in four other states have recommended required consolidation, and many other states are considering shared services bills, according to the Education Commission of the States. This month, for example, South Dakota lawmakers voted to reimburse school districts for consolidation-related costs.

Some rethinking is happening naturally, due to declining enrollment and funds. In the tiny McLeod district, for example, school leaders warned that if a referendums failed last fall, the district would close its doors. Voters rejected the tax increase, so the district is sending its students to other districts.

To be more proactive and avoid forced dissolution, more Minnesota school districts should voluntarily take steps toward mergers or shared services.