Rural districts are closing facilities, combining programs, and consolidating. Most metropolitan districts have large class sizes and higher teacher salaries. Rural districts have small class sizes and lower teacher salaries. Some metropolitan districts are refusing to accept students who want to come in under open enrollment programs because of a lack of space. Inner metropolitan districts have increasing numbers of minority students.
Most rural districts have few minority students.
Some metropolitan districts are planning to build new facilities to handle enrollment growth and facilitate integration. Most rural districts are cooperating, using technology, and sharing staff and facilities to continue to offer opportunities for students. Minnesota's funding formulas acknowledge some of the differences in school districts. While there are a number of contrasts in the situations of metropolitan and rural districts, they all must deal with similar issues as well. In recent years, funding increases have not kept up with expenditure increases.