Benefits Thought to Accrue to Consolidated Schools

•more efficient use of public dollars through economies of scale

•lower per pupil costs

•expanded curriculum

•more extra-curricular activities and opportunities

•psychological boost from more prominent identity (sports teams)

•higher salaries and better benefits for teachers

•more specialized teachers and support staffs

•better instructional materials and equipment

•more resources for advanced and special needs students

•greater student competition and challenges

•greater cultural diversity

•lower turnover of teachers

•elimination of spending disparities between the merged schools

Liabilities Thought to Accrue to Consolidated Schools

•higher transportation costs and more time lost to busing

•less parent-teacher interaction

•less community support for schools

•adverse economic consequences: loss of business; lower housing values

•declines in enrollment

•decreases in educational alternatives available to parents

•failure to achieve significant savings from economies of scale incurrence of one-time costs for new signs, uniforms, stationery, etc., that can reach $75,000-$100,000

•possible loss of services provided by former community schools

•diseconomies that can result if the consolidated school is too large

Small School Benefits

•community pride and identity

•more responsive to the needs of individual students

•closer relationships among students, faculty, and staffs

•less bureaucracy and fewer management problems

•neighborhood schools requiring less transportation

•more parent-teacher interaction

•MORE local control over curriculum and policies

•more sense of belonging and loyalty, and more positive attitudes

•more opportunity for development of student leadership skills

•fewer disciplinary problems, lower dropout rates, and higher graduation rates

Small School Liabilities

•higher per pupil costs

•limited curriculum

•less schedule flexibility for teachers, and fewer opportunities for professional development and collaboration with colleagues

•fewer instructional supplies and inferior equipment

•lower expectations

•heavier faculty loads and more non-specialized assignments

•too few students in grade for same-age competition