This article examines the potential for reducing costs through school district consolidation by employing economies of scale. Utilizing Indiana school district data primarily from 2004 through 2006, we find evidence for scale economies with optimal enrollment being 1,942 students, with a per pupil estimated cost at $9,414. The 95% confidence…

Compares Kentucky's school district organization with those of other states; defines "small" school districts; analyzes the relationship between district size and state education costs in Kentucky; concludes that state cannot save money by consolidating small school districts. (Contains 48 references.) (Authors/PKP)

Examines the evolved meaning of useful policy information associated with district consolidation in rural New York State. Advocates a grass-roots triangulation approach that establishes a common proxy of small K-12 districts embedded within small township jurisdictions, identifies particular enrollment patterns in a seven-county area, and…

Reviews size economies research and concludes, among other things, that the cost curve is usually U-shaped, but all findings must be applied cautiously and with full recognition of the unique characteristics of each place. (Author/JM)