Most other states adopted this pattern of district control, except in the South. Many southern states used the county as their organizational unit. In addition, there are rural school districts, urban school districts, town schools districts, and suburban school districts. They are quasi-corporations in that they operate much like a corporation but are not incorporated. As a state agency, the school district operates under state laws and is designed to carry out the state's educational policies.
Schools are responsible for educating all the children within the district borders.
They are the unit of financial support of the schools, through taxes on residents' property. The number of U.S. school districts has declined during the 20th century. This is due to consolidation. Larger districts eliminate the duplication of administrative and support services and result in cost savings. A larger district provides greater opportunities for a genuinely integrated school population.