dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðə ɡɹˈeɪt dᵻpɹˈɛʃən, sˌɛntɹəlᵻzˈeɪʃən ɪŋkɹˈiːst bɪkˈʌz lˈoʊkəl bˈoːɹdz ˈæbɹəɡˌeɪɾᵻd ðɛɹ ɹᵻspˌɑːnsəbˈɪlᵻɾiz, fˈoːɹsɪŋ ðɪ ˌɪnstəlˈeɪʃən ʌv əfˈɪʃəl tɹˈʌstiːz ænd kɹiːˈeɪɾɪŋ lˈɑːɹdʒɚɹ ɐdmˈɪnɪstɹˌeɪɾɪv jˈuːnɪts.
During the Great Depression, centralization increased because local boards abrogated their responsibilities, forcing the installation of official trustees and creating larger administrative units.