In the shadow of California's financial gloom, several area school districts are reviving an old debate over whether consolidation makes both educational and economic sense.
Two rural Fresno County districts -- American Union Elementary and Washington Union High School -- are actively talking about the pros and cons of unification. Teachers in the West Fresno Elementary School District, which feeds into Washington Union, also have sponsored a community meeting.
Unification is a familiar question that stirs up sensitive questions of politics, money and local control. Talk of merging these same districts has been defeated before by those who prefer independence to promises of more money and services.
But the state's problems may have altered the landscape. Public education faces more than $11 billion in cuts over the next 15 months, according to the California Department of Education. So in this financial climate, can a district afford to say "no" to a unification proposal that may yield more money?
One answer could come later this year if the courtship between Washington Union and American Union reaches voters, who have the final say.
"That would be the best way for us to collectively decide what's in the best interest of our students," said John Pestorich, superintendent at Washington Union.
More money vs. less control
The arguments for and against unification -- merging an elementary and high school district -- are straightforward.
Advocates say unified districts can command more state cash, save money through economies of scale, better coordinate curriculum and afford more specialized programs.
But in the process, critics say, individual school districts also can lose their historic identity, political clout and direct control over their children's education.
Waves of mergers and consolidations already have greatly reduced the number of school districts in California. The state now has about 1,000 kindergarten school districts, with around 175 operating a single school site. Dozens of century-old districts are rooted in the foothills and old farming communities of the Valley.
Today, unification isn't simple. A majority of trustees in each district either must agree to launch a proposal or the community can circulate a petition.
Advocates must navigate state and county analysis, public hearings and environmental review before the proposal can reach voters.
Few districts attempt the process each year, state education officials say, and none of the current applications at the state involve Central Valley districts.
Most consolidation proposals that reach the ballot are successful, with 21 of 23 proposals approved by voters since 1995, officials said.
Money can be a powerful inducement. The state may kick in extra cash to help equalize differences in salaries and benefits, and that can improve the bottom line for a new district.
For example, Fresno County schools officials project unification of Washington and American could yield more than $930,000 in new money annually.
Several years ago in Madera County, supporters of unification between Coarsegold Union School District and Yosemite Joint Union High School District told voters the new district would bring in $1 million more annually. The merger passed.
In Fresno County, the last successful unification was approved in 1998 by voters in the Caruthers elementary and high school districts. Three other small districts bowed out when leaders couldn't agree on geographic representation on the new board.
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