School District Merger Plans Detailed

ROCKWELL, IA --Some North Iowa parents and community members are being told that dropping revenue and student numbers require drastic action.

On Wednesday night a crowd of parents, property owners and school board members were told why it makes sense for their school districts to merge into something that will be called the West Fork Community School District.

The Sheffield-Chapin-Meservey-Thornton and Rockwell-Swaledale Community School Districts are already sharing students in what is known as whole grade sharing.

Under a consolidation plan the district's 700 children won't notice a change.

But the districts will go from 2 superintendents and business managers to one of each for the combined district.

A financial consultant is estimating that could mean an annual savings of around $150,000-to-$200,000.

The school boards will also be blended and a school board will be appointed from the two current boards to help guide the merger's initial phase.

Currently the Rockwell-Swaledale School Board has five members and SCMT's has 7.

The assets and debts of each district will become the responsibility of the newly reorganized school district.

Property taxes in Meservey and Thornton will rise.

According to estimated figures supplied by the Iowa School Finance Information Services, the merger would slightly lower property taxes in Rockwell-Swaledale and the Sheffield-Chapin areas, but the Meservey-Thornton areas would see an increase of about a $1.50.

The state of Iowa is offering a $1 dollar incentive for the first year to help offset the levy rate change and there is the possibility the district could receive additional funding for up to 3 years.

"The whole grade sharing has shown the 2 communities work well together the kids are getting along fine, I just think it's logical to put it together,” said Rockwell resident Dick Hitzhusen, who favors the merger idea.

"There isn't much of an alternative to being proactive I mean the districts I earnestly believe that the districts have to be proactive in managing their budgets and if they don't the risks are high," said school finance consultant Larry Sigel.

Sigel said that all over Iowa the state's 361 school districts are facing budgetary pressures.

He believes this is "a positive situation" and a proactive move because if "a district doesn't manage its budget and if they exceed the amount the state allows them to spend for 2 consecutive years, they could be forcibly closed without input.'

"It doesn't solve everything," said Sigel,  "and it doesn't mean the districts aren't going to have to cut their budgets again but it goes along way toward ensuring the long term financial viability of the combined district."

Hitzhusen is less optimistic, "I don't think it will be a long term cure all but I do think it's a step in the right direction," he said.

The districts are asking people to sign a petition by the end of February.

If enough eligible voters sign it the issue can be brought before the AEA for a public hearing.

If the reorganization is approved by the AEA it will be placed on a special election ballot next September.

If voters approve the creation of a new West Fork School District the two school boards will appoint a new 5 member school board to oversee the successful implementation of the district in July 2011.

If voters reject the consolidation idea, then the whole grade sharing concept will continue and the school boards will likely try to push the merger idea again.

Given the district's current enrollment and revenue trends, Rockwell-Swaledale Superintendent Tom Fey is estimating the districts could find themselves in serious financial difficulties within 2 years.