HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC) - Proposals to force smaller local school districts to regionalize have sparked discussion at the state capitol.
To save money, smaller Connecticut school districts would be forced to regionalize under proposals for consideration in the General Assembly. One proposal would force districts and towns with fewer than 40,000 residents to regionalize. Another would force towns with fewer than 2,000 students to join or form a regional district.
Patrice McCarthy with the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education tells the WTIC Morning Show that many factors must be considered.
"If we focus on what works for the students, what will provide the best educational opportunity for students, rather than looking at a one solution... [a] magic number that's the perfect size for a school district. Then we can really get to the best outcome."
The consolidation plans are being pushed to save money, but McCarthy says some local districts have already realized cost savings by sharing resources through bulk purchasing.