SCHOOLS: Reduce number of districts

I've read lately a lot of school districts nationwide are having severe financial difficulties and have had to cut non-scholastic activities to get by. This states public schools haven't been hit so hard financially as other states, but it still appears some cuts may be necessary.

There are 44 counties in Idaho and 115 public school districts. That seems to be excessive for a small population of 1.5 million - a very small state population. I would think one school district per county would be better. Why tax people so much? Cut costs, cut taxes. Why should anyone have to pay taxes toward schools if they don't have children or grandchildren in public schools in Idaho? But if they did have school age children, why can't they direct their monies to go toward religious and private schools, etc., instead of public schools?

Taxpayers should have freedom of choices where their education taxes go. I lived in Nevada many years and saw how an area that explosive population growth like Las Vegas had no over three million population and functioned with only one public school district.

I worked with Washoe Co. School District with over 120 public schools in the Reno area with physical area about the same as the five northern counties here in North Idaho Panhandle area. They had one, well-functioning school district! They had a centralized kitchen where meals were pre-packed and driven to school sites. They had in-house print shop, etc., and other in-house functions; all cut costs.

So why can't Idaho public school districts consolidate? Why have so much upper, highly paid management, so many school boards, etc.? One hundred fifteen public school districts seems entirely excessive for such a small state, a tax overkill.

An old saying goes, simplicity is key to success. Cut the pork.

MONTE HILLMAN

Rathdrum