"Towns turn to school mergers; Look to cut costs, but many fear loss of local control
Under growing pressure from state officials, small public school systems across Massachusetts are discussing potential mergers, defying the state’s staunch tradition of local schools and hometown identity in a quest for greater financial stability.
And look what came up when I tried to click the link:
This article is available in our archives:
I'm not paying for that because I already did.
--more--"
And I sure as hell am not paying $5 for it!
Looks like the relationship with the Globe will be ending sooner than expected.
So what do I save via my own hand, readers?
Some districts are looking into regionalization on their won accord, hoping it will provide long-term stability. But most are bending to pressure from the state....
Yeah, right, REGIONALIZATION is the key according to this front-page piece of filth!!
"The state has offered incentives in the past, but has not always fulfilled the promises it made to communities that regionalized. Wachusett Regional, which was formed in 1955 and enrolls students from the towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, and Sterling, never received all of the state money promised for increased transportation costs, said Cynthia Bazinet, a School Committee member there. Such experiences could deter other communities from regionalizing, she said. "Out transportation costs are enormous," she said. "And we've never been reimbursed in the manner promised."
And yet here the Globe is pushing it on the front page.
But many communities worry they will be paying more than their fair share for regional schools, particularly when merging with less affluent towns.
Others question the premise that combining small schools saves money at all. Nicholas Young, the superintendent in Hadley and an outspoken critic of regionalization, said smaller schools are often highly efficient and are better off sharing some services with other schools, such as transportation and supplies, while maintaining their overall independence.
"We have this business mindset that bigger is better, but it costs far less to build small schools," Young said. "There's not a stitch of evidence you save money through consolidation. It sounds good politically, but it has been proven not to work."
Supporters and opponents alike acknowledge that the logistics involved in merging school systems are daunting and costs can be prohibitive. From building leases to employee contracts to administrative functions, school leaders say they have to build new systems almost from scratch.
In contrast, residents often want to keep things simple. Even communities with regional high schools are hesitant to do so in the younger grades. In fast-changing times, the idea of losing the neighborhood elementary school, or have it be subject to the whim of voters in the next town, is disquieting.
So is the Globe's censorship and extortion because they are sinking like a stone.
And they think restricting access is going to help?
Bye, Globe!!
