A Study of Iowa School Board Members' Attitudes Toward Reorganization of Iowa Public School Districts

Abstract

The purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine Iowa school board members' attitudes about suggested methods to accomplish school district reorganization in Iowa, what factors should influence such reorganization, and what agency should perform the act of reorganization, Procedure. A questionnaire was developed and one Department of Education consultant and the Executive Director of the Iowa Association of School Boards assisted in establishing its face validity. With the assistance of area education agency directors and local school district superintendents, the final questionnaire was distributed to all local school board members. Findings and conclusions. Board members are told often by their local school district patrons that most important reasons for opposition to school district reorganization are: (1) children would live too far from their attendance center, (2) the town would die if the school district were to reorganize, and (3) transportation would be too complicated. Results of this study show that, according to board members, the two most important factors to consider in reorganizing school districts are the ability to meet state minimum standards and the breadth of the instructional offerings of the district. Further, the study shows that board members prefer the petition method over the dissolution method of reorganization. The study also shows that board members prefer the local education agency as the unit to determine school district reorganization, and board members prefer the natural progression method of reorganization over all others. Recommendations. Local districts should have the first opportunity to meet the needs of their resident pupils. Local boards should consider both methods of reorganization currently allowed by Iowa law. Local districts should have the power to determine whether they will or will not reorganize with other districts. Local districts should be required to meet state minimum standards or reorganize with other districts that do, or will, after the merger.