Merger/Consolidation of School Districts:
Does it save money and improve student achievement?

A white paper from PSBA's Education Research & Policy Center
In February 2009, the governor recommended the wholesale consolidation in the number of school districts from 501 to 100. While some districts ultimately may need to merge with an adjacent district, PSBA will continue to support local school district choice because of the significant local impact of school district mergers.

• Get the Executive Summary or the complete White Paper
• A school district consolidation checklist, prepared by the Pa. Economy League, Inc.
      

• Should the State Mandate Larger School Districts: Is Bigger Really Better?
  By Joseph V. Oravitz, retired PSBA executive director (1982-2001)

• School Consolidation: An Analysis of Governor Rendell’s Policy Proposal (PDF)
  By Erin McHenry-Sorber, The Pennsylvania State University
• Links on school merger information
• Presentation slides from Legislative Advocacy Conference, April 2009