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Article published Jan 7, 2005
Governor pushes consolidation for small school districts

Among the many government inefficiencies Gov. Mark Sanford identifies in his state budget is the number of small school districts in the state.Sanford proposes combining those districts so that all districts have a minimum of 2,500 students by July 2006.It's likely to be another of Sanford's good ideas that doesn't happen because of the opposition of local and state officeholders.In his budget, Sanford notes that the state used to have 1,220 school districts and has gradually consolidated them down to 85. He points out that further consolidation will lead to increased efficiency.Sanford cited a study done for the Education Oversight Committee that found that smaller districts often spend too much on administration. That study found that $26 million in administrative costs could be saved and transferred to the classroom if districts were consolidated to a minimum of 2,500 students per district.There would be other benefits to students besides the savings. Larger districts can offer students more opportunities and courses of study, particularly at the high school level.Sanford's proposal is worthwhile but unlikely to be enacted. It will be bitterly opposed by school board members and superintendents across the state, some of whom would lose their positions under consolidation.Spartanburg County is a good illustration of the problem. The county used to have 89 school districts. They were consolidated into 12 and now seven. It would make sense to continue that consolidation. County schools would probably operate more efficiently and offer more opportunities to all students with three or four districts.But the opposition to any such move is tremendous. School boards in this county pass resolutions against consolidation even when there is no proposal on the table. When lawmakers on the county delegation once made a move to study consolidation, they were intimidated away from the possibility by the political pressure.Sanford has the right idea. Citizens who care about putting more money in the classroom and maximizing opportunities for all children can hope that he finds the necessary support in the General Assembly to overcome resistance at the local level.