AP:

State and school leaders say there is a new wave of school district consolidation that could alter the landscape of education in Iowa.
The consolidation is happening in school districts that are facing budget crunches because of shrinking enrollment, skyrocketing expenses and troubles cutting back. And the cash-strapped schools aren’t getting the same type of help they used to from the state.
“They’re in a real balancing act,” said Judy Jeffrey, director of the Iowa Department of Education. “I think there’s going to be another wave of consolidation.”
Just how many Iowa school districts will consolidate depends on whether some can dig themselves out of a financial hole.