Two North Central Iowa schools move toward merger

Another pair of school districts plan to merge in North-Central Iowa.The Allison-Bristow and Clarksville school boards have both voted to begin the process of developing “whole grade sharing.” A plan will be presented to the state by February first for the process to begin in the fall of 2002. School leaders say economics is the driving force as both districts need to be in a better position to offer competitive salaries to teachers. Governor Vilsack’s across-the-board budget cuts reportedly had NOTHING to do with the boards’ decisions.