Repost from yesterday, have a wonderful weekend! - js - Star Independent School District in Mills County, about 75 miles west of Waco, joins a number of small districts forced to shut down and consolidate by changing demographics. For the past seven years Star has fought to stay open - despite low enrollment and low funding. Once a school district hits below 90 students, the state's funding goes down considerably, according to Superintendent Barbara Marchbanks. Star has 56 students all on one campus. She says low enrollment is a direct correlation with parents finding employment elsewhere. But the low numbers are what have kept this district a tight-knit community.

This month voters from Goldthwaite and Star independent school districts voted on whether or not to consolidate. The election was held on May 10 in Star ISD in Star, Texas and Goldthwaite ISD to officially consummate the proposed arrangement. The proposed consolidation referendum passed in both school districts (Star - 63 For and 52 Against and Goldthwaite - 483 For and 70 Against) and they join a long list of public school districts ceasing to exist through consolidation and annexation. (Historical List)

Now that the school is forced to shutdown, faculty and staff will lose their jobs. "The school is the center of our community. "We have such a unique culture here that you don't see anywhere else in the cities anymore," The students lockers have no locks. They are not needed because it is like a family. “Once the school is gone, many times the community dies. And that hurts. It really hurts."

It is a sad season for Star ISD as reflected in this article, STAR I.S.D. to shut down and consolidate with larger district, which captures the realities and the feelings surrounding these changing demographics. Thinking of this as “changing demographics” avoids the lump in my throat when I see another small school - where every student had a chance to be somebody - go away.

Star I.S.D. isn't the first small district to consolidate. During the 1930-1938 period Plainview, Center City, Pleasant Grove, Payne Gap, Moline, Hurst Ranch and McGirk schools consolidated with Star.- js - webmaster@texasisd.com