Consolidation Supporters Rationalize Their Position

Year Of

Bessemer

Ironwood

Wake-Mar

Combined

Graduation

Class Size

Class Size

Class Size

Class Size

2009

37

95

17

149

2012

43

73

21

137

2015

39

72

16

127

2018

25

64

23

112

2008

(Numbers obtained through GOISD)

Grade 9-12

158

339

82

579

Grade K-12

454

960

280

1694

IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, August 03, 2008 - Petitions are being circulated in an attempt to have the issue of consolidation brought before the voters in the November 4, 2008 General Election.

Based on a fact sheet provided to the Chronicle, reasons for consolidation include (1) Declining Population, represented in the chart above; (2) Better Curricular/Academic Offerings for all Schools; (3) Better Extra-Curricular Offerings for all Schools; and (4) Cost Savings.

Declining Population - As demonstrated in the chart above, all three school systems are suffering from a declining population, and projections for the future aren't showing any reversal of that trend.

Better Curricular/Academic Offerings for ALL Schools - Individual schools cannot offer seperately what could be offered jointly. These classes could be offered every year, rather than evey other year or every third year. Keep in mind, classes would not need to be limited to the following list:

  • AP Advanced Composition; Drama; English 9-12; Journalism; Mythology; and Speech
  • German 1-2; Spanish 1-4; and possible 3rd Language
  • American History; Economics; Government; Psychology; Social Studies; Sociology; and World History
  • Ecology; Chemistry 1-2; General Biology; Human Biology; Physical Science; and Physics
  • Algebra 1-2; AP Calculus; Geometry; Pre-Algebra; Pre-Calculus; and Trigonometry
  • Industrial Tech; Life Skills; Vocational Building Trades; Vocational CAD; Vocational Computer Repair; Vocational Graphic Arts; Vocational Welding; Welding 1-2; and Woodworking 1-2
  • Art 1-2; Ceramics; and Commerical Art
  • Business Education; JROTC Program; and Physical Education Classes
  • Concert Choir; High School Band; Jazz Band; Show Choir; Wind Ensemble; and Women's Choir

Better Extra-Curricular Offerings for ALL Schools - Individual schools cannot offer separately what could be offered together.

  • Activities
    • BPA; Debate; Drama Club; Forensics; High School Quiz Bowl; Language Clubs; Middle School Quiz Bowl; National Honor Society; Pep Club; Science Olympiad; Student Senate; and Yearbook
  • Sports
    • Baseball; Basketball (JV & V); Cheerleading (JV & V); Cross Country (JV & V); Football (JV & V); Golf; Hockey; Skiing; Soccer (JV & V); Tennis; Track; Volleyball (JV & V); and Wrestling

Cost Savings - Here is a partial list of the cost savings that could be realized through consolidation:

  • 1 Superintendent versus 3
  • 1 football, basketball, and track program versus three separate programs.
  • Centralized bussing
  • Centralized food service (already in place)
  • Possibility to reduce building overhead expenses
  • Other efficiency possibilities

What Happens to Each District's Debt? (Bonded Indebtedness) - According to the Revised School Code Act 451of 1976 "The assumption of bonded indebtedness of one or more of the districts; or an increase in the operating millage rate must be included in the petition and ballot question."

This petition drive and the ballot question does not include this language, so the consolidated school district, if successful, will not assume the bonded indebtedness of the individual school districts. Those districts will continue to be responsible for their own debts.

For Informational Purposes Only:

Bessemer Area's boneded indebtedness totals $1,948,808:

  1. $1,788,808, expires in 2019
  2. $ 160,000, expires in 2010

Ironwood Area's bonded indebtedness totals $3,110,000:

  1. $1,750,000, expires in 2015
  2. $1,360,000, expires in 2020

Wakefield-Marenisco's bonded indebtedness is $2,150,000:

  1. Approximately $550,000 (1 mil per year), expires in 2014
  2. $1,600,000, expires in 2014

Considering that Ironwood's taxable base is $145M; Bessemer's is $57M; and Wakefield-Marenisco's is 89M, the cost per taxpayer is higher in Bessemer that in Ironwood, currently.

For more information or to sign the petition call Bob Burchell at (906) 932-2000.