10.2190/D8XR-Y4X3-K3MP-746P D8XRY4X3K3MP746P 0 THE TEACHER UNION CONTRACT: A CONSTRAINT ON "DOWNSIZING" THE PUBLIC SCHOOL? 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=D8XRY4X3K3MP746P 3 SUSAN KAY SMITH "Downsizing" the public school is of increasing concern as school districts struggle with declining enrollment and decreasing resources. A study of teacher union contracts from 469 Michigan public school districts revealed how and to what extent teacher union contracts act as a constraint on school districts' abilities to be innovative in adapting to these environmental changes. Contractual constraints were found to be associated with certain school district characteristics.