Surviving closings and consolidations: the secret may be an open attitude and a healthy dose of public input

School Administrator, August, 2003 by Brad Hughes

Peace in the Process

Administrators leading a school closing or consolidation decision-making process should have two goals: making the decision and surviving the aftermath. Here are some proven leadership ideas that can help:

* Compile a comprehensive report on all data to be used in the decision.

Credible, understandable data comes first, not just in selling the final decision. This may include but not be limited to the current cost of operating each school building (cost of building maintenance, staffing, transportation, average daily attendance funding, supplies, utilities, etc.), the future cost of necessary or planned improvements at each school, enrollment history at each school (growth/decline patterns), a comparison of the total cost per pupil of education at each school, and a comparison of instructional offerings available and not available to students at each school. Both the Floyd and Hancock county school systems produced brochures with the relevant data and mailed them to every household in their communities at the start of the process.

* Plan meetings with all staff at each school that could be affected by the decision.

It's important that all staff members have a clear understanding of the situation, options and data regarding their school. A meeting at each school will allow the superintendent to detail that information, answer questions and compile a list of staff issues to be considered by the administration and the board.

* Host tours at each affected school.

Invitees could include PTA members, the school board member from that division and representatives of local government, the chamber of commerce, the ministerial association and other appropriate community groups--so long as the final group is not so large as to make it difficult for all to see and hear the tour information and get answers to questions. The tours would give these community leaders first-hand knowledge of the factors involved in the decision before the school board. Bring along the local press to show both the situation at the school and to demonstrate how decision makers are examining needs.

* Meet with concerned citizens at each affected school.

The purpose of these meetings is three-fold: to inform the community of the factors involved in the decision, to answer questions and to give the board and the superintendent a sense of community questions and concerns. You may choose to have an initial meeting to present the information and listen to questions and concerns, then follow up with another meeting (prior to final action) when district staff may outline some possible solutions to issues raised in the first meeting.

* Never say never.

Until a decision is made, avoid a total rejection of any single option. Listening never hurts. Don't make judgments without the facts. And once a sound decision is made, don't get mired in sloth-like inaction by fiery public reaction. Continue to make your case.

* Spend time educating your local news media.

School closings are news, even if there is no organized opposition. And when there is opposition, don't let those folks frame the situation that the larger community will read, hear and see in the media. Go beyond just simply informing reporters of meetings. Sit down with representatives of media outlets just as you begin the public process. Give them an outline of the process and the data. During breaks in meetings where decisions are being discussed, approach your reporters and ask if they have questions you can answer.