Waldo asks to merge with Magnolia

[Eddie Goodson]

This is from Ark. Prep sports board. The link is below:

Waldo asks to merge with Magnolia

MAGNOLIA (AP) - The Waldo School Board wants to merge the small school district with the larger Magnolia School District.

The board approved a petition for a merger, reviving an effort the board pursued two years ago after a survey showed the community favored consolidation with Magnolia.

Waldo Superintendent Richard Britt said Monday the Magnolia school system has more to offer academically and athletically and would mean greater job security for teachers and shorter bus rides for students than consolidation with another district. In addition, the merger would mean more convenience for parents, many of whom already work in Magnolia.

Waldo schools have 324 students, 26 below the state requirement of 350 students necessary to maintain a public school district. Magnolia has about 2,700 students.

The Magnolia School Board is considering the request. A date for a decision has not been set.


If these two schools merge before next year, Magnolia's HS enrollment will increase from 675.33 to 748.33. This would make them an equal of Searcy and should bump Magnolia up to AAAAAA and Marion should be dropped back down to AAAAA (old AAAA). Wonder if they'll figure that one out in Marion.

#	School	Enrolled	2006 Class
29	Forrest City	761.67	AAAAAA
30	Searcy	748.33	AAAAAA
31	Magnolia and Waldo	675.33 + 73 = 748.33	AAAAA
32	Watson Chapel	743.33	AAAAAA
33	Marion	741.67	AAAAAA
34	Camden Fairview	733.67	AAAAA
35	Greenwood	731	AAAAA

arkansasprepsports.com/smf/index.php?topic=1092.0

[Outlaw85]

If they do in fact consolidate ,will the upcoming 2 year cycle be changed with Marion and Magnolia flip flopped or will the A.A.A. wait until the next cycle?

North Pulaski would have to be moved from the East to make room for Marion. NP coming back to SE would most likely send Robinson back to the SW. Magnolia would end up in AAAAAA South and either Hall or Parkview would be sent to AAAAAA East.

Talk about a headache!!!!

[heathwaldrop]

Numbers issues aside, do you know what a merger will do to the Magnolia basketball program? Waldo is a POWER in basketball, mostly in boys' basketball, and has been for years.

I imagine it won't do much for football since the kids who had football promise probably moved into the Magnolia district years ago. Magnolia already picked up Walker in the first round of consolidation which also provided a little kick to the basketball program.