The Power of Local Government: A Case Study of Rockbridge County's High School Consolidation
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Date
2019-08-19
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
Local government policies are far reaching and have a greater impact upon the lives of citizens
than the state or national governments on a regular basis. This theory is examined through a case
study of Rockbridge County, Virginia, where in the early 1990s the county board of supervisors
decided to consolidate their three high schools, effectively removing socialization centers in the
towns of Natural Bridge Station and Fairfield. This case study looks at the impact of
consolidation on these communities, the influence local print media had on civic engagement
throughout public deliberations, and how the policy process at the local level differs from the
national level. Natural Bridge Station and Fairfield both suffered from losing their high schools,
seeing muted improvements and even decline in business diversity, the student dropout rate,
household income, and voter turnout compared to other regions in the county. Despite over two
years of coverage, The News Gazette did not generate increased voter turnout in the referendum
on consolidation compared to state level house of delegates elections. Yet, because of the
dynamics of the local policy process, local stakeholders were best equipped to influence
consolidation policy. The controversial issue of consolidation hit communities at their core, yet
generated below average engagement. The founding fathers’ goal with federalism requires the
people to engage with all levels of government—local, state, and national—to prevent tyranny
ensure their rights and liberties are preserved.
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Keywords
Local Governent, Education, Federalism, School Consolidation, Progressivism, Grassroots Tyranny, Clint Bolick