Consolidation Transition

Education

Other General Education - Consolidation Transition


Statewide Outcome(s):


Consolidation Transition supports the following statewide outcome(s).

Minnesotans have the education and skills needed to achieve their goals.


Context:


The goal of voluntary school district reorganization through district consolidation is the expansion of programs and services to student and families in an environment of financial stability. The consolidation transition state aid program supports districts that have recently consolidated by providing funds for reorganization costs. Students and communities in eligible districts are served by this program.


Strategies:


By incenting districts to consolidate, voluntary school district reorganizations help to expand programs and services to students and families at a lower cost. The elimination of financially inefficient school districts will result in larger and more cost-efficient school districts. State aid is available for two years after consolidation and is calculated based on the formula in Minnesota Statues (M.S.) 123A.485. State aid provides funding for costs associated with district consolidation, retirement incentives, reduction of operating debt, and expansion of learning opportunities.

The primary reason districts consolidate is usually financial; however, school districts that have consolidated through this program have reported that the consolidation has provided additional opportunities to meet student academic needs, has increased efficiency in district operations, and has improved the likelihood of long-term financial health of the newly formed district. The potential cost efficiencies that could be attributed to this program vary by district due to the unique financial, operating and facility characteristics of the combining districts.

Results:


There were two consolidations between FY 2006-2008 and five between FY 2009-2011. While the number of consolidations is easy to calculate, the true performance measure is in the satisfaction and achievement of the districts that consolidated which we do not evaluate.

Performance Measures

Previous

Current

Trend

Number of Consolidations

2

5

Increasing


Performance Measures Notes:


Previous measurement is FY 2006-2008 and current is FY 2009-2011.