Links to Small School Consolidation

Friends of Small and Rural Schools:
   As we fight the battle against the privatization of our small schools, which includes school consolidation efforts, private school vouchers, rural charter and virtual schools, etc... - it is important to shine a bright light on those lawmakers who purport to support our public schools, but have something more sinister on their minds. As such, sometimes issues which our K-8 Nation ignores as consolidation or voucher issues, are in reality.. highly related to those entities which could harm all our public school students (my opinion only). A shining example of this connection appears on the outside to have nothing in common with the survival of our small schools, but lets examine it again:
   Most small school supporters are keenly aware of Senator Bice's bill to consolidate small schools (outside of her Senate District) for schools with less than 200 students. We know that it would destroy our small school autonomy, so most small school supporters are against this bill. A result of passage of this bill could mean that the nearest school next door would rule the decision making for our small schools.
   As many of you know, I've been fighting the equalization battle for our public school at the OSSAA for some time now (about 10 years). I don't believe any K-8 schools are members of the OSSAA, so I don't suppose many K-8 supporters would be on board for "leveling the playing field" between private and public school members of the OSSAA. I know that a few are, however, so I'll provide you the link between small school consolidation and "leveling the playing field" between privates and publics in the OSSAA:
   As there are no K-8 members of the OSSAA, the OSSAA may have a vested financial interest in consolidating K-8 schools - If K-8 schools were consolidated with other schools, all students in all public schools would become OSSAA members, resulting in more member dues, more school play-offs, etc.., which would invariably result in more money for the OSSAA. (It's always about money... never students for the OSSAA, whether or not you may think its good or bad).
   A couple weeks ago, I presented a private school classification rule change to the OSSAA (just to consider sending it out to a vote of the membership), and it was shot down by a vote of 12-2 to "not send it to a vote". Everything was on the up-and-up, until I was told something "off the record" by an anonymous source, which indicated that if I had included a clause which would include all schools, it would have passed with flying colors. Presumably, this would have meant that all schools should become members of the OSSAA, which means more money.
   Only Senator Bice (among all state lawmakers) was present at the consideration meeting, who coincidentally is sponsoring the small school consolidation bill. As David Jackson introduced me as the presenter of the rule change under consideration, he looked to the back of the room (where Senator Bice had just stepped in) and introduced her as a VIP in attendance. At that moment, without "thinking first", I turned and said to Senator Bice: This issue is not about school consolidation, it's about "leveling the playing field" between private schools and public schools in the OSSAA". She then replied, jokingly "That's for next months meeting". My two board members sitting in the front row, did not know what the exchange was all about, so asked me on the way home, and I told them.
   We will continue our battle against the forces of school consolidation efforts, vouchers, rural charter schools, etc... no matter where it takes us - whether it is at the OSSAA, OASA, or any other battleground. We must all work together!