TEXT 6: SPECIAL DISTRICTS

As described by its name, special districts are local governments formed for a special purpose. Most carry out a service desired by citizens yet not provided by other area governments. Among these are flood control and fire protection. Soil and water conservation, waste disposal, and sanitation also are handled by these governments. Special districts operate tunnels and bridges and repair highways. Others deal with schools, libraries, parks, airports, hospitals, and cemeteries.' Taken together, special districts meet as many, if not more, citizen needs than any other kind of government.

Because of the variety of services they carry out, special districts are by far the most numerous of all governments in the United States. There are 43,439 special districts across the country today.

Special districts vary in size and shape. Some are quite small. Many follow the boundaries of other local governments. A fire district, for example, may serve a single township. Other special districts, however, are huge, overlapping the borders of several other units of government. A district board governs most special districts. In many areas, the members of the board are elected by the voters. Some boards, however, are chosen by a leader from another unit of government, such as a mayor. To pay for the services it carries out, the district board may levy a tax, borrow money, or charge a fee to those citizens receiving the service. The special district with which all people probably are the most familiar is the school district. Educational services in some states are provided by counties, municipalities, towns, or townships. In more than one half of the states, however, public education is handled by separate governments known as school districts.

It is important to remember that school districts, like all local governments, are granted authority by a state. For this reason, many school district policies are shaped by state guidelines. The length of the school year and the kinds of courses needed for graduation, for example, usually are decided by state law.

Within state guidelines, however, each school district is governed by a local board of education. In some areas, this board is known as the board of supervisors or board of directors. Most school boards are elected by the citizens. Some boards, however, are appointed. Appointment may be made by mayors, city councils, county boards, or other leaders as decided by state or local law.

To run a school system, school boards have the power to hire teachers, direct the curriculum, maintain school buildings, and provide for transportation. In order to carry out these services, the board may tax citizens to raise needed funds.

Most school boards' hire a superintendent to lead the district. The superintendent often has a large staff to help administer the schools. Also important to the leadership of the schools are teacher organizations and community and civic groups interested in education. Unlike other special districts, the number of school districts has dropped in recent years. In 1952, there were over 67,000 school districts in the United States. Today, there are less than 15,000. The reason for this decline is school consolidation, or merger. This comes about when two or more school districts are combined to form a single, larger district. Such plans can result in great savings.

SUMMARY

1. Local governments are units of government found within a state. Their purpose is to serve the needs of local communities. Today, there are over 82,000 local governments in the United States.

2. Local governments are given their authority by the state.

3. Local governments take care of such everyday needs as road, water, sewage treatment, police, fire protection, and hospitals.

4. Size, location, climate, and natural resources determine some of the services local governments provide.

5. One function of county governments is to assist in such state-related activities as tax collection, welfare, and elections.

6. Counties are governed by citizens who are elected to a county board. The county board has both legislative and executive authority.

7. Urban areas are governed by municipalities. Because nearly three fourths of all Americans now live in urban areas, municipalities are the most essential units of American government. There are over 19,000 municipalities in America today.

8. Charters from the state determine how municipalities will be governed, what powers they will be given, and whether or not they will have home rule. According to its charter, a municipality may have a mayor-council, council-manager, or commission form of government.

9. New England towns are among the oldest local governments in the United States. Some still are governed by town meetings. A board of selectmen supervises town business between these meetings.

10. Although townships are decreasing in number, many still provide important local services. Townships usually are governed by a board of trustees or supervisors, who conduct daily business.

11. Special districts are local governments formed for a special purpose. Among these purposes are education, conservation, water and sewage treatment, and fire protection. Many districts are governed by elected or appointed board members.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 723