Posted by
Waski_the_Squirrel on Monday, November 20, 2006 11:05:49 PM
I'm sorry about my long absence (I apologize to both of my readers!). I've been unbelievably busy. I'm actually really busy tonight, but need a sanity break!
Today, KFYR.com posted a short profile of a school in
Squaw Gap, ND. This school has 2 students. This is a somewhat remote elementary school.
In the same space, KFYR.com posted an update on North Dakota's
adventures in school funding. North Dakota recently faced a potential lawsuit because it forces schools to rely overmuch on local property taxes. Because of inequities in square mileage and land valuation, this has led to huge differences in tax rates between districts. The state's contribution is about 42%. This is calculated on a per-student basis. Smaller districts receive a little more per student.
My problem with schools like Squaw Gap is that they are tax shelters. Very few are remote enough to be necessary. North Dakota is rural, but it is no Alaska (or Montana). Very few of these districts are necessary for distance. In fact, a number of such districts surround Bismarck.
These districts receive very little money from the state because it is based on enrollment. However, their expenses are low (1 or 2 employees, utilities, and miscellaneous expenses). High school students are shipped to a neighboring district and a tuition payment is made. As a result, these schools can keep their property taxes quite low. This is where the drain is.
I am a believer in rural education. If Squaw Gap, for example, became part of a neighboring high school district, it could serve as an elementary school for area students (rather than have them on the road forever). My own district has such an arrangement -- it covers nearly 1000 square miles. As it stands, Squaw Gap is merely taxpayer-funded tutoring, and one of the two students is the teacher's own son. She is essentially being paid a full salary to homeschool.
In a case of true isolation, I could accept this school, but even then, only as part of another district.