Issue Blog: Unification of 3 school districts

It is an interesting conversation as three districts must deal with the study of district unification. In our area, Kern River Valley, there are two independent elementary districts and two schools from the Kern High School District. Everything seems to appear simple and a slam duck for a decision: combine the three and cut costs across the board. There is much more to it than such a simple resolution. The students, staff and communities would all feel a great deal of impact that they don't fully realize. Will the students benefit or experience a reduction of services? What will happen as the contractual agreements for the staff of the three districts work out a compromise that is agreeable to all? Will the tax base shift? Will there be a positive or negative impact? Has anyone else had her/his district merge with another?