Published: July 03, 2008 09:37 am            

Economy as leader

Maybe the price per barrel will do what the Legislature has not done.

Sandy Garrett, Oklahoma’s superintendent of schools, told the state Board of Education last week that as many as 50 school districts may need to consolidate due to the increase in energy, food and fuel costs, along with declining enrollment and employee turnover.

As of Tuesday, Oklahoma has 535 school districts. It is a ridiculous number.

But it is not easy to consolidate because, for many of the smallest communities, the local school is the biggest reason for its existence. This is not to be taken lightly. But neither is the amount of money that is being spent to keep open buildings for a few students when those children could easily be absorbed by a nearby school district. The money that is available for public education needs to be spent where it will do the most good for the most people. This, of course, means some decisions will need to be made.

It has been obvious for sometime that something needs to give in Oklahoma’s public education system. The Legislature has not been able to provide any leadership on this issue, and the state Board of Education hasn’t shown much interest, either.

Maybe the economy can take care of it.

        

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