This case is written for graduate students in a superintendency seminar course, a school-community relations course, or a school leadership course, such as a school politics course. It presents a highly charged school referendum issue in a school district that is comprised of two distinctly different communities. An initial referendum to construct…

A conference attended by local, state, and national leaders and community members: (1) identified educational needs in the Frederick, Maryland area and (2) initiated an ongoing process of communication among community and education leaders. This innovative forum was sponsored by Community Commons, a citizens group, three local colleges (Hood,…

The results of centralization of one of the larger "small-rural" school districts in New York State are examined in this case study. The demographics of Yorkville and the feelings and opinions that residents have about their communities and schools are discussed first. Next, the history of the school system since 1950, when the district…