DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Once again, the end of a school year means the end of several school districts in Iowa, continuing a trend seen for decades but one that doesn’t get easier for the communities involved. Because of the closure of the Farragut Community School District and merging of two others, classes won’t resume after summer vacation at three schools in southwest Iowa.

Since Iowa school funding is based on student enrollment, many rural districts have struggled to keep their student numbers up amid declining populations. Staci Hupp, spokeswoman for the state’s education department, says it’s typical to see a few districts merge each school year, usually because of declining enrollment. This fall the Prescott and Creston school districts will merge, along with A-H-S-T and Walnut schools.