St. Paul Schools Move Toward Centralization

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The pendulum in St. Paul public schools is swinging away from years of autonomy toward centralizing budgeting, curriculum and even schedules.

Superintendent Valeria Silva's proposed strategic plan increases district control which she says is more cost effective in a time of tight funding.

Silva's proposal would set system-wide enrollment and class size standards, a fixed number of periods per day and a central allocation of instructional funding. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says the superintendent has also proposed dismantling much of the busing to magnet schools that's been in place for decades.

From 1999 to 2005 the district moved toward more decentralization, delegating decision making to individual schools.

The school board is scheduled to vote on Silva's plan March 15.

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