Finally, unpredictable, unexpected, and unusual alliances get attention. Find ways to collaborate with urban and suburban people in statewide efforts. Changing public opinion requires education, direct and indirect. Effective small school leaders should conduct regular workshops for education reporters and community members on the local impact of state funding formulas. The monthly newsletter Rural Roots reports on strategies used across the nation to increase operating budgets.
Litigation is a last resort.
Of the 22 cases in which small schools have sued states to change funding formulas, half have been decided for the plaintiffs and half for the defendants. Of the 11 cases the plaintiffs won, only four resulted in actual funding increases. Using Existing Resources More Effectively All good administrators go over budgets with a keen eye for finding opportunities to save funds. The following paragraphs offer some additional suggestions. Since many rural areas have become retirement magnets, schools are finding new talent among people who want to connect to their adopted communities.