Managing a shrinking municipal education. What happens when the resources of educational organizations decrease?

Austerity and downsizing in municipal education is demanding and stressful for education management, head teachers and teachers as resources shrink and teaching needs grow at the same time. The study identified a range of soft and hard tactics and approaches used by both education management and head teachers to achieve downsizing and savings. As a result of tight finances, school management is seeking a balance between control and trust in relation to head teachers. Head teachers, in turn, are constantly having to balance the roles and approaches of school advocate, loyal official and effective leader.

Savings and cutbacks have been commonplace in municipalities' school activities for some time. Over the last twenty years, the number of primary schools has fallen by less than half. There has been some public debate about school closures. However, less attention has been paid to the pressure on municipal education authorities to make further savings. According to study by The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, municipal spending on education has remained at 2009 levels. The gap between funding for education and actual needs has widened steadily.

The study looked at what happens in schools when cuts and savings are made. The study covered five case studies. The analysis of the case study municipalities' school documents was used to identify the background, objectives and strategic orientations of the cutbacks and savings. The experiences and actions of municipal representatives in relation to downsizing and savings were investigated by interviewing school management and head teachers.

One of the main consequences of the savings and cutbacks is an increase in the workload of school staff. Class sizes have increased because of the cuts, while at the same time there are more and more pupils with learning support needs. Savings have also led to significant reductions in the number of assistant staff in schools. The tight economy raises questions of fairness and trust. As a result of austerity and cutbacks, the education system is showing signs of organisational politicization with questionable means of influencing the allocation of resources.

The study provided a wide range of information on the factors behind the savings and cuts in the school sector and the related strategic orientations. It also helps us to understand the experiences and actions of those in leadership positions in austerity and downsizing. The results will benefit the preparation, decision-making and implementation of future savings and cutbacks