PARSS Development

The Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) was started by a group of public school superintendents who had real concerns for students in rural and small school districts in Pennsylvania. The focus of these concerns was in two primary areas: Finance and Quality Education.

During the 1983-84 school year, two small groups of school superintendents began to meet separately, but simultaneously, on the two primary topics mentioned above. Mutual contacts brought a few of the superintendents from each group together. After a couple of informal meetings, these superintendents decided to create a formal rural and small school organization.

An organizational meeting was held in November 1984. At that meeting, which followed the aforementioned informal meetings, the participants were ready to take formal action. An organization pattern was decided upon, officers and board members were elected, the organization received a formal name, a dues structure was set, and the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) was in business.

The first order of business was to state our purpose and set some goals that would improve and enhance the education of students in small and rural public schools in Pennsylvania.

PURPOSE AND GOALS

Primarily we wanted to establish a rural and small school "presence" in Pennsylvania. We wanted to be organized in a strong and unified way so we could speak with one collective voice on behalf of the students and the school districts. We wanted to be able to influence financial decision makers and policy decision makers when they deliberated on public school funding and public school policy.

There was a genuine concern that most, if not all, statewide financial and policy decisions were based on a metropolitan model of school district organization. Rural and small school districts usually do not fit this model.

The initial goals of PARSS were established to fulfill the primary purpose of the organization, and these were the goals as stated in PARSS' first brochure:

• Develop a database through research and the compilation of existing data sources.

• Formulate plans, proposals, subsidies, and curricula in the best interests of the membership.

• Inform the legislature, State Board of Education, and other such groups or agencies of the concerns, needs, and research

• of the association so as to effectively influence legislation, rules, regulations, and policy making.

• Inform the membership of the results of research and data collection and plans of the association.

• Solicit support of its membership to support the goals of the organization.

• Communicate frequently with our members.

Naturally, an organization's goals do change from time to time, and PARSS goals are ever changing to reflect the current needs of rural and small school students and their districts. However, it is interesting to note the initial goals and mission of the organization for historical purposes and as a point of reference.

GOVERNANCE AND MEMBERSHIP

PARSS is governed by a nineteen (19) member board which is made up of fifteen (15) directors from across the Commonwealth and the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The Board is elected from the membership. One director is elected from each of the elected PARSS regions and two at-large members. The PARSS regions coincide with the thirteen Pennsylvania School Board Association regions with the exception of Region 13 (Pittsburgh) and Region 10 (Philadelphia). Pittsburgh is part of PARSS' Southwest Region, and Philadelphia is part of PARSS' Southeast Region.

Initially the Board met on a bimonthly basis with an annual membership meeting each April. It was on March 21, 1985, that PARSS adopted official bylaws and PARSS was in business. In more recent years, PARSS schedules monthly meetings; and the April meeting has turned into a two-day spring conference.

Membership is statewide and is open to second, third, and fourth class public school districts which can subscribe to the purpose and goals of the Association. The initial membership was approximately forty (40) districts.

PARSS membership continues to grow each year. At the present time, we have an active membership of about one hundred seventy-one (171) school districts and a few associate members which are primarily intermediate units.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

From the beginning, PARSS has either developed or heightened the awareness of rural and small school district concerns. We have done this in the Pennsylvania Department of Education, with the State School Board, in the State Legislature, and in other statewide educational organizations.

We have also established relationships with regional and national education organizations.

In addition, we have regular contacts with related associations that have common interests in enhancing the quality of life in rural and small-town Pennsylvania.

All of this networking provides PARSS with the opportunity to speak with one strong voice for rural and small school districts so we can make a positive contribution on their behalf.

PARSS has been involved in many and numerous kinds of activities since it became a formal organization. The following statements provide some idea of PARSS actions and results.

• PDE initiated research activities aimed directly at rural and small school districts.

• Legislators have developed a greater awareness of the uniqueness and needs of rural and small schools.

• PARSS has had a positive impact on transportation funding which is vital to the financial health of rural school districts.

• PARSS was a major player in the two years of equity funding supplements.

• PARSS has introduced a funding scheme that will equalize funding and reduce local taxation by 72%.

• PARSS has proposed and succeeded in getting small district assistance funding for many of our small school districts.

• PARSS has filed and is actively pursuing an equity lawsuit in an attempt to get a fair and appropriate amount of state funding to assure an equal opportunity for a thorough and efficient education for students in small and rural school districts.

• PARSS is recognized as a creditable and collective voice for rural and small school districts.

• PARSS has created "The Academy" for rural and small school superintendents and aspiring superintendents.

• PARSS has created two web sites directed to rural schools.

As one can see, PARSS has created a climate and an awareness that has served to improve the conditions in all of Pennsylvania. This mission will continue as we move forward to the next century. PARSS adopted a new mission statement on March 23, 1993. We are constantly discussing our new belief statements and goals. We are ever changing because of your changing needs. However, our focus is always quality education for every child in Pennsylvania.

PARSS has become an effective organization with its voice being heard across the educational and governmental communities. We have disquieted the consciences of our fellow educators, legislators, state administrators, and the courts on the issue of educational instructional and fiscal equity. It has been 15 years since we started our arduous crusade and eight years since we filed our lawsuit. We continue to pursue resolution of the issue with vigor. Our ultimate goal is victory for the benefit of students in all of the Commonwealth's schools, but especially those in our poor, small, and rural schools.

PARSS remains committed to meeting the challenges ahead for our members. Our staff stands ready to assist our districts with support and counsel on ways to remain effective educational entities in their communities. The staff can help members with student activities, board activities, employee development programs, and administrative concerns. They can arrange ways to meet your needs on an individual district or regional basis. JUST CALL THEM!