School District Reorganization History Theory And Law PDF Download

School district reorganization is a phenomenon that communities and boards of education have been forced to consider many times throughout the history of public education in New York State and across the nation. The current state aid formula employed by New York State todistribute education aid to school districts disadvantages the neediest school districts in the state, leaving those communities without the necessary resources to prepare students for college and careers in the 21st century (Timbs, 2013). Coupled with the fact that many school districts across the state have tapped into their available reserves, many school districts are on the vergeof financial and educational insolvency (The Council of State Superintendents, 2012). Participants in this study were comprised of five New YorkState school district leadership teams consisting of a superintendent, business official, and a board member that experienced failed school district reorganization efforts during the calendar year 2012. This study addressed what the effects of choosing not to reorganize have been, and what the future holds for those districts. This qualitative research has the potential to inform the field in terms of the decisions that school districts are making as a result of failed efforts, as well as the potentialto influence state policy and law makers to generate alternatives to what current law. Findings showed that school districts facing declining enrollment, dwindling resources, and diminishing resources in New York State have little choice but to consider school district reorganization as a viable alternative under current law. As a result of the findings, it is recommended that New York State statutes and regulations regarding school district reorganization be overhauled to reflect the demographic and economic realities of the 21st century in New York State and to promote equity for all students in the state.