The Future of Indiana’s Small Rural Schools
By Brett R. Boggs Superintendent of Schools
Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation
AKRON — Back in 2007, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels asked a small group of volunteers to help develop recommendations to reform and restructure local government in Indiana in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations and reduce its costs to Hoosier taxpayers. This seven-member group, the Indiana Commission for Local Government Reform, was chaired by former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan and Chief Justice Randall Shepard of the Indiana Supreme Court. The resulting report titled, Streamlining Local Government, was better known as The Kernan-Shepherd Report.
The Commission members agreed on 27 specific recommendations, four of which focused on schools. The general recommendation was to establish districts that are large enough to provide high-caliber education at a lower cost and enhance fiscal accountability. A more specific recommendation was to, “Reorganize school districts to achieve a minimum student population of 2,000. Establish state standards and a county-based planning process similar to that established in 1959 legislation.” At that time, more than half of all school districts in Indiana had fewer than 2,000 students. Forty-six districts had fewer than 1,000 students.
Upon the release of The Kernan-Shepherd Report it became apparent that Governor Daniels, then Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett, and a large number of supportive state legislators favored shutting down many of Indiana’s small rural school districts. This caused an immediate firestorm of concern by citizens in those communities, so much so that the number was soon lowered to school districts of 1,000 or fewer students. Even then, the citizens of those 46 school districts made their feelings known. As a result of the widespread and intense public opposition, the Governor and his supporters backed away from their public support of this recommendation. The story, however, does not end there.
The effort to close Indiana’s small rural school districts continues, though in a much less public manner. It is being accomplished by steadily reducing funding for small rural schools. This process began in 2009 when the State of Indiana took full control of the General Fund of every Indiana school district. Each school district’s General Fund – the fund that supports the day-to-day operations of a school corporation – was previously supported by local property taxes. Changes have been made in the funding formula that have harmed small rural school districts. The concept of dollars following students has harmed small rural school districts, most of whom are experiencing a decline in student enrollment. Recently, the manner in which farm land is assessed has resulted in a decline in revenue for small rural school districts.
I am concerned for the future of our small rural school districts, including our neighboring districts of North Miami, Caston, Culver, Argos, Triton, and others. When a community loses a school, the community suffers. If the current funding situation continues, our Indiana’s small rural school districts will, in a few short years, be financially forced to close their doors. Is that what’s best for the children and patrons of those communities?
Why am I concerned? Once the school districts of 1,000 or fewer students are gone, next in line will be the school districts of 2,000 or fewer students, which includes Tippecanoe Valley, Rochester, Whitko and several others in our area. If you share my concern about the future of Indiana’s small rural school districts, please speak to your state legislators before it’s too late.