Consolidated County School System Merger

I would vote yes because this doesn't automatically consolidate any school systems. It creates a process for communities that may determine that consolidation makes sense. Importantly, it includes an impact study and gives residents a mechanism to force a public vote. I think local communities should have the ability to consider whether sharing resources could improve educational opportunities, reduce duplication or make better use of public money, while still giving families and voters a meaningful voice in the decision.

Two reasons to worry about this: First, my guess is that this is an attempt by conservatives to merge with Democratic school boards and overpower them. Like if Montgomery merged with Elmore and Autauga, then Republicans would control Montgomery public schools.

Second problem: If the counties wanted to merge, the only way for voters to stop it would be to get 25% of voters to submit a written protest of the decision. 25%! Yall, that's a crazy high number. To run for statewide office as an independent, you only need signatures from 3% of voters. And we basically NEVER see anyone achieve that threshold. So the takeaway is that they want permission to do these mergers regardless of how the public feels. That's a big fat NO from me.