D-E-D head says consolidation not the answer for schools

The director of the Iowa Department of Education says the state’s schools don’t have much fat to cut from their budgets.Some argue small Iowa schools should be forced to consolidate to save money, but Department of Education director Ted Stilwell says it wouldn’t save much. He says it would save some administrative costs, but at best it would save only five to 10 million. Stilwell has some ideas for saving money, though. Stilwell suggests small schools buy buses that can transport not only students but adults, so the buses could be used for other purposes. And Stilwell suggests small towns make school libraries and cafeterias open to the public, to broaden the customer-base and financial support.Stilwell made his comments on Iowa Public Television.