ARGYLE - The Pecatonica and Argyle school districts will jointly conduct a consolidation study if it receives a $10,000 grant to do so.
The grant, administered through the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI), would allow the districts to consider financial and educational implications of consolidating into one district. Pecatonica includes Blanchardville and Hollandale students, and is about eight miles from Argyle.
"During Pecatonica's referendum meetings last year, consolidation was brought up," Pecatonica District Administrator Gary Neis said. "We want to try to gather as much factual information as possible."
The Argyle school board Monday night voted unanimously to join Pecatonica in the study.
"In my mind, we want to get accurate information as to what the implications of a consolidation would be," Argyle District Administrator Bob Gilpatrick said. "I suggested to our district that we support it (the study)."
Neis said Pecatonica approached Argyle, Barneveld and Mineral Point about joining in the consolidation study. Barneveld chose not to participate and Neis hasn't heard back from Mineral Point.
Neis said the study can be conducted any way the districts want to, as long as results are reported to the DPI.
The application deadline is Oct. 31. Should the districts get the grant, Neis said he would like to have the study done by the end of the school year.
At this point, Neis said, consolidation would be receiving only exploratory consideration.
"We want to look at enrollment trends, the financial picture of each district, see if this is something we want to pursue," Neis said.
Should the districts agree to pursue consolidation, each school board could vote to approve consolidation. That would allow consolidation, unless citizens petition to have a referendum, or unless the boards agree to put the question to the districts' voters.
According to state statutes, each district would have to hold a referendum if the boards call for one, or if a petition is submitted signed by at least 10 percent of voters of either school district.
The referendum would be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November and would need to pass in both districts. The results of referendums are binding.
The grant, administered through the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI), would allow the districts to consider financial and educational implications of consolidating into one district. Pecatonica includes Blanchardville and Hollandale students, and is about eight miles from Argyle.
"During Pecatonica's referendum meetings last year, consolidation was brought up," Pecatonica District Administrator Gary Neis said. "We want to try to gather as much factual information as possible."
The Argyle school board Monday night voted unanimously to join Pecatonica in the study.
"In my mind, we want to get accurate information as to what the implications of a consolidation would be," Argyle District Administrator Bob Gilpatrick said. "I suggested to our district that we support it (the study)."
Neis said Pecatonica approached Argyle, Barneveld and Mineral Point about joining in the consolidation study. Barneveld chose not to participate and Neis hasn't heard back from Mineral Point.
Neis said the study can be conducted any way the districts want to, as long as results are reported to the DPI.
The application deadline is Oct. 31. Should the districts get the grant, Neis said he would like to have the study done by the end of the school year.
At this point, Neis said, consolidation would be receiving only exploratory consideration.
"We want to look at enrollment trends, the financial picture of each district, see if this is something we want to pursue," Neis said.
Should the districts agree to pursue consolidation, each school board could vote to approve consolidation. That would allow consolidation, unless citizens petition to have a referendum, or unless the boards agree to put the question to the districts' voters.
According to state statutes, each district would have to hold a referendum if the boards call for one, or if a petition is submitted signed by at least 10 percent of voters of either school district.
The referendum would be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November and would need to pass in both districts. The results of referendums are binding.