Plan to merge 2 Iowa school districts advances

GARNER, Iowa (AP) - Two school districts in northern Iowa are one step closer to uniting under one district.

The Mason City Globe Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/1jFSDs5 ) a plan to merge Ventura Community Schools and Garner-Hayfield Community School District won unanimous support Wednesday from a board of directors for the Iowa Area Education Agencies. The issue is now eligible for a public vote in September.

Under the proposal, a new school board would be established. District attorney Rick Engel says the board would consist of four Garner-Hayfield members, two Ventura members and a unanimously elected member.

The two districts already share a superintendent and curriculum director, among other officials. They have used a whole grade sharing system since the 2012-2013 school year. Such a system allows students in both districts to share some educational programming.

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Information from: Globe Gazette, https://www.globegazette.com/