This is a VERY LONG POST; THOSE WITH SHORT ATTENTION SPANS OR WHO READ SLOWLY ARE ADVISED TO GO ON! ;-)

Earlier in this thread there was some discussion regarding school consolidations. A statement was made that larger districts would lead to more driving and therefore more fatalities. Will stated that kids in urban areas are at greater risk that those in rural areas. In that same response, Will suggested/asserted that going to a four day school week would save lots of money. He also made some statements about absentee ownership of property in rural areas.

In response to Will's statements, some research on teen driving and the four day school week is below, as well this poster's opinion on absentee ownership and some relevant mill levies.

It is safe to say that Will is wrong in regards to the driving issue; the four day school week has mixed reviews, both financially and academically

TEEN DRIVERS: URBAN OR RURAL AT RISK?

From: Attitudes Toward Seat Belt Use Among Urban & Rural Teens
Jeremy Diener & Lilliard E. Richardson
Institute of Public Policy Report 3 2007

". . .in general, teenage male drivers are at the highest risk with regard to seat belt non-use when involved in a crash, with RURAL MALES BEING THE WORST. . ."

* * * *

From: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Tranportation
http://fastlane.dot.gov/ 09.08.08

"Even though they drive less than other age groups, mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. TEENS DRIVING ON RURAL ROADS FACE A GREATER CHALLENGE. Even though rural roads carry less than half of America�s traffic, they are home to over half of the nation�s vehicular deaths. Worse, the FATALITY RATE FOR RURAL CRASHES IS MORE THAN TWICE THE FATALITY RATE IN URBAN CRASHES."

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From: Generational Perspectives on Teen and Older Drivers on Traffic Safety in Rural and Urban Communities
The University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies
Michael Manser,Director

"Traffic fatalities are a significant issue for society, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE IN RURAL ENVIRONMENTS. . ."

(note: capitalization by this poster for emphasis)

* * * *

FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK?

TWO Excellent summaries of the pros AND cons of four day school weeks can be found at:
www.sreb.org/scripts/Focus/Repor/08S06_Focus_sch_calendar.pdf and
www.ceep.indiana.edu/projects/PDF/PB_V1N2_Four_Day_School_Week.pdf

In quick summary, the dollar savings are not as great as they would appear on the surface. Whether or not a four day week is good for student achievement has yet to be determined.

ABSENTEE OWNERSHIP OF LAND IN RURAL AREAS

There must be some financial incentive to own land on which taxes are levied "without representation;" otherwise it seems logical that even a marginally astute business person would divest themselves of the financial liability. Does it not follow, that just as one of the supposed results of school consolidations is people will move closer to the schools when driving becomes burdensome, wouldn't absentee landowners sell their property to those living close to the property when the burden/expense of absentee ownership became too great?

Below are the 2006-07 mill levies for all USDs in Johnson County and in Rooks County as this is where Will lives and is an absentee landlord, respectively. In the interest of fair play and full disclosure Norton USD 211 has also been included. 2006-07 rates are used as these was the most recent year for which complete information could be obtained from the KSDE website. Basically, more mills = higher personal property taxes.

Johnson County
USD 229 Blue Valley 60.650
USD 230 Spring Hill 67.9898
USD 231 Gardner-Edgerton 76.329
USD 232 De Soto 69.081
USD 233 Olathe 65.172
USD 512 Shawnee Mission 50.674

Rooks County
USD 269 Palco 36.045
USD 270 Plainville 45.427
USD 271 Stockton 44.837

USD 211 Norton 35.922


Greg Mann
Norton, KS