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Lawmakers Hold Hearing On Plan To Consolidate School Administrations

Michael B.
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flickr Creative Commons

Lawmakers yesterday heard from supporters and opponents of a bill that would consolidate school districts. The bill would set a minimum size for districts, and those that are too small would merge.

The goal is combining administrations to create more efficient organizations. Republican Rep. John Bradford told skeptics of the bill that it wouldn’t result in schools closing.

“Nothing’s going to change. Their children are going to get up in the morning, ride the same school bus to the same school, be taught by the same teacher,” Bradford said.

But education advocates and school district officials weren’t convinced. They shared concerns that as district borders are erased, schools will be consolidated and close.

Stephen Koranda is the managing editor of the Kansas News Service, based at KCUR. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public media as a reporter and editor.