Iowa won't pursue school district mergers in 2009

Lawmakers in Iowa have put the brakes on an idea that would force as many as two-thirds of the state's 362 school districts to merge. Instead, they are planning to study the issue for at least the rest of this year. House File 265 would direct the Iowa Department of Education to create a committee to evaluate the practicality of consolidating schools as a way to improve student achievement. The committee's first report would not be due until January 2010.

To read The Des Moines Register article, click here.