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During the campaign to merge the
Iredell and Statesville school systems back in the early 1990s,
supporters argued that consolidation was inevitable. They were certain
that within a few short years all the “city” school systems would be
abolished and there would be only one administrative unit per county.
Well over a decade has passed, and
15 “city” school systems are still in operation around the state. The
Mooresville Graded School District is celebrating its 100th anniversary
and has every intention of continuing to operate as a separate
administrative unit.
There are indications the pendulum
may be swinging back toward smaller school districts. Many Mecklenburg
citizens and parents are exceedingly dissatisfied with the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. There is widespread sentiment for
creating a separate school district in the northern end, and possibly in
other areas, of the county.
Representing the wishes of their
constituents, N.C. House members John Rhodes and Jim Gulley introduced
House Bill 1017, titled the “Mecklenburg Education Freedom Act.” The
bill would allow the people of the county to vote on whether to divide
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system into multiple administrative
units.
The education bureaucrats
adamantly opposed the bill, just as they oppose almost any measure that
might give parents more control over their children’s education. The
liberal-dominated House Education Committee gave the bill an
“unfavorable” report, which effectively killed it for this year.
Reps. Rhodes and Gulley say they
intend to introduce the measure again next session. They hope public
pressure will eventually force the bill’s passage.
Another Iredell school district?
The proposal to deconsolidate the
Mecklenburg schools set us to thinking. Might it be a good idea to
create another school district in Iredell County?
Although the Iredell-Statesville
Schools enroll fewer pupils than Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the district is
just as diverse and just as large geographically.
Many residents of the South
Iredell believe their interests are not adequately represented, that not
enough is being done to construct new buildings to accommodate the rapid
growth in student population. Many residents of other areas of the
county believe that they have been shortchanged, that too much of their
money has been spent in South Iredell.
Such conflict is natural and
almost unavoidable in a district encompassing such diverse interests.
The needs of an area that is becoming part of suburban Charlotte are
different than the needs of a more rural and small-town area.
Dividing the present
Iredell-Statesville district, probably along north/south lines, would
allow the smaller administrative units to operate in a manner better
suited to the needs of their areas. In a smaller district,
administrators and school board members should be more accessible to the
parents and citizens they are supposed to work for.
A deconsolidation bill would have
to address many details, such as whether to allow a district to levy a
supplemental tax. We believe any proposal should be subject to a
referendum of the voters.
Creation of another school
district would be no panacea for the ills of our educational system, but
we believe it could bring about significant improvement. It is an idea
worthy of public discussion and of serious consideration by our elected
officials.
We hope this editorial is the
springboard of that public discussion. Please contact us, tell us your
ideas, and let us know what you think. We hope to follow up on the
responses in a future issue.
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