Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of legislators, Chamber of Commerce presidents, and school superintendents regarding consolidation and shared services between multiple school corporations. This study focused on the areas of total consolidation, economic benefits of consolidation, student benefits of consolidation, total shared services, economic benefits of shared services, student benefits of shared services, as well as district enrollment and preferability between consolidation or shared services. A survey was sent to 150 legislators, 199 Chamber of Commerce presidents, and 293 school superintendents across the state of Indiana. The survey included 24 items with six possible responses asking the participants to select answers that best described how they felt individually about the areas listed above. These individual scores were recorded and placed in the participant's category and analyzed to get one group score for comparison. The study found that there is significant difference in perception in all areas of consolidation and shared services between Chamber of Commerce presidents and superintendents. Chamber of Commerce presidents preferred consolidation over shared services than did superintendents as it relates to economics and student benefits. Superintendents' preferred shared services over consolidation than did Chamber of Commerce presidents as it relates to economics and student benefits. Legislators' perceptions fell between the other two groups in all areas. Their perceptions were more positive for consolidation than shared services when dealing with economic issues but not as strong in the areas of student benefits. Overall, Chamber of Commerce presidents preferred consolidation while legislators and school superintendents preferred shared services. The study also found that all three groups had a more negative perception toward a 2,000 enrollment district size. The research did not show if the enrollment number should be higher or lower than this 2,000 enrollment number. The negative perceptions from all three groups concerning the enrollment number 2,000 indicate to the researcher that a blanket 2,000 enrollment for districts may not be the answer.
Recommended Citation
Kopatich, Thomas P., "A Study Of The Perceptions Concerning School Consolidation And Shared Services Among Indiana Legislators, Chamber Of Commerce Presidents, And School Superintendents" (2008). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 939.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/939