This research is generally accepted as compelling for smaller schools. Research from Georgia indicates that small schools in small districts have a more significant effect of overcoming poverty s effect on lower academic achievement than small schools in large districts. Because small districts tend to have smaller schools, the probability is that smaller districts will also have a higher educational outcome than would larger districts. The article s second comment concerns operational costs and implied savings. There are almost no savings in unifying smaller districts unless the smaller districts schools are closed and the children are bused to larger schools.
Savings come about by creating larger school size rather than district size.
There are very few administrative or operational cost savings unless the smaller school is closed. If the smaller school is closed, then the research based validated benefits of smaller schools are lost the children are sent to a larger school. The Small School Districts Association supports the improved education efficiency of smaller schools in smaller districts. School district consolidation is contrary to research findings for better education.