The unusually high number of school districts on Long Island, 124, which are overwhelmingly segregated both racially and economically is disadvantageous for all of the region’s students. The majority of Black and Latino students attend low-performing schools with high concentrations of poverty, leaving them with few opportunities to benefit from a high-quality education.

Additionally, all Long Island students are being denied the benefit of learning in racially and ethnically diverse schools. Integrated learning environments help to dismantle racial stereotypes they prepare students to be successful in increasingly diverse workplaces and communities.

If districts followed town and city boundaries, none would have an overwhelming proportion of poor students and all would be racially diverse. Also, more resources would be available to target specific needs, which would allow schools to capitalize on economies of scale. Many times in the past, local and state officials have proposed consolidating districts as a way to reduce school costs and taxes.

ERASE Racism examined the effect of uniting neighboring school districts as a way to optimize funds and create diversity. For example, if school district lines were redrawn along town and city lines, we could create a total of 15 districts, which would be far less segregated by race as well as income.

Race and Ethnicity of Public School Students 2013-2014

Public School Districts if They Were Consolidated by Town, Race and Ethnicity of Public School Students 2013-14

Public School Districts, Student Poverty 2013-14

Public School Districts if They Were Consolidated by Town, Student Poverty 2013-14