A school superintendent has finally said. At long last, someone else besides me has said the school districts in the county need to share resources.

USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker made the comment when one of our reporters called to ask the impact of proposed state funding would have on the district. And then Leiker said it: School districts in the area need to find a way to share resources — maybe even teachers.

Leiker continued that he didn’t think the county was ready for consolidation but it will probably happen elsewhere in the state.

I’m not necessarily urging consolidation either but I think we’re going to have to figure out a way of making the money stretch and still give our children the education they deserve — in every district.

I have had conversations with members of the community regarding a central office for the five districts — centralized for ordering supplies used in all five districts.

I have written editorials about consolidating services. Special education has been consolidated for years and seems to be functioning. Surely, other services can be streamlined in a similar way.

Kudos to Superintendent Leiker for extending the first olive branch of cooperation.

— susan berg