Consolidation: A Year of Confusion And Controversy But Little Change
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
It was a year ago in the State of the State address that Governor Huckabee uttered the "c" word, setting off a heated debate that continues to this day.
Since that day last January, rallies have been held, studies released and compromises sought. A year later, the idea of consolidating school districts based on their size is still controversial and divisive.
The Governor`s reform plan (which included consolidation) appeared on its way to victory last week. It cleared the Senate Education Committee, the full Senate, then the House Education Committee. The bill`s fortunes faded, however, on Tuesday, when a hostile amendment was added, gutting the consolidation provision and, in effect, taking the teeth out of Governor Huckabee`s plan.
Huckabee says he`s not sure what will happen next, but that he is considering letting Arkansas voters decide on the consolidation issue.
