Consolidating makes sense
Richmond’s and Spring Grove’s elementary and high school districts are being proactive in an area where other McHenry County school districts should be as well – consolidation.
The school boards of District 2 and District 157 are holding a joint meeting tonight to review the findings of a consolidation study. The study was performed by a consulting firm hired by the districts last year. It cost $6,500 and is being paid for by the Illinois State Board of Education. It could end up being money well-spent.
District 2 comprises Richmond and Spring Grove elementary schools, and Nippersink Middle School.
Richmond-Burton High School is the only school in District 157.
The districts already share certain services. And they share a superintendent and superintendent’s assistant.
The logical next step would be full consolidation.
The consolidation study looked at eight facets of school operations, such as transportation, and evaluated potential efficiencies or problems that consolidation would bring.
If Districts 2 and 157 decide to consolidate, it would not be a first for the area. Spring Grove Elementary District 11 and Richmond Elementary District 13 merged to form Nippersink District 2 several years ago.
Tonight’s meeting is at 7 p.m. at Nippersink Middle School, 10006 Main St., in Richmond. The public is invited.
We encourage members of the public and school officials to attend with open minds. Tradition or territorial concerns should not be a roadblock to consolidation.
And we also encourage other area school districts to pay attention.
All or parts of 19 school districts still exist in McHenry County.
Do we need that many? The short answer is, no.
Does Marengo need three school districts (18, 154 and 165) for example?
For that matter, does the county need more than one? Many other states have county-wide school districts.
We realize consolidating districts is no easy task. But the first step is recognizing that some efficiencies – and tax money – can be saved. Isn’t that all that should be necessary to at least consider the possibility?
We think so.
We applaud Districts 2 and 157 for their efforts and encourage them to keep pushing forward.
Hopefully, there is more to come.
