Iowa lawmakers have put the brakes on a controversial idea that would force as many as two-thirds of Iowa's 362 school districts to merge. Instead, they are planning to study the issue for at least the rest of this year. 

The bill, House File 265, would direct the Iowa Department of Education to create a committee to evaluate the practicality of consolidating schools as a way to improve student achievement. The committee's first report would not be due until January 2010. Some lawmakers said Monday that the study could take years longer.

Time is a factor because a state budget guarantee that has traditionally assisted school districts with declining enrollments will be phased out within five years. Enrollment is shrinking in 70 percent of Iowa districts, records show.

"If we don't have something in place by 2014, we're going to be screwed," said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines.
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Source: The Des Moines Register, 2.24.09