THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MAHONEY, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, CUTLER, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GALLOWAY, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GROVE, W. KELLER, KIRKLAND, MANN, MATZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, READSHAW, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, STURLA AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 25, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 25, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Encouraging school districts in this Commonwealth to study the

fiscal impact of consolidating the administrations of school

districts within their county.

WHEREAS, The current fiscal condition facing State government

has raised the issue of school consolidation; and

WHEREAS, The result of having 500 school districts in this

Commonwealth has caused a lack of coordination and focus on

major functions, wasteful administrative spending and a lack of

accountability to the public; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960s, the State legislature mandated public

school consolidation for smaller districts, reducing the number

of school districts to 505 by the end of the 1970s. Currently,

school consolidations are voluntary; and

WHEREAS, School consolidation can lead to significant cost

savings in addition to increased educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Section 224 of the Public School Code of 1949 sets

forth the current law regarding school mergers. The section

provides that any two or more school districts or administrative

units may combine to create a larger school district; and

WHEREAS, The board of school directors of each school

district desiring to form a school merger shall, by a majority

vote, adopt a resolution outlining the areas to be combined and

file an application for approval with the Secretary of

Education. The State Board of Education shall review each

application upon its agenda and approve the application as it

deems wise in the best interest of the educational system of the

Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, A consolidation study will be completed in Spring

2011 to examine possible cost savings through the consolidation

of Fayette County school districts; and

WHEREAS, The results of this study will be used in gathering

petition signatures to ultimately have a referendum for Fayette

County voters to decide whether a school merger should occur;

and

WHEREAS, Consolidating school administrations is a very

effective way to save tax payers' money across Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, School districts would still keep different

identities; however, there is no need to maintain separate

administrations, each with its own staggering and growing

administrative costs. Reducing the number of administrations

could improve the effectiveness and efficiency among agencies

and departments; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That school districts within a county be encouraged

to study the fiscal benefits of consolidating school district

administrations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be given to every

school district in this Commonwealth.