School district boundaries define more than just the area where a certain group of children attends a given set of schools. They also determine the taxing jurisdiction that supports those schools with local property taxes. Big differences in property value can lead to large funding gaps, even between neighboring districts. These disparities in…

This study analyzed the plausibility of merging school districts in New York State. The study considered how consolidation impacts finance, instruction, demographics, and enrollment for 56 public schools in Nassau County of the Long Island region of New York State. It also draws comparisons for county-, township-, and regionally-based school…

For the last five years, the lives of New York City (NYC) public school educators have been governed by constant change. With certainty, every January or June heralded something new--restructured departments and offices, staff changes and new initiatives. One of the most interesting chapters in the history of the NYC school system unfolded in the…

High-poverty schools in rural areas and small towns are under attack from state policy makers who want to consolidate these schools in order to save money. In addition to calls for consolidation, rural schools also are threatened by unfair and inadequate funding formulas.

Consolidation has dramatically reduced the number of school districts in the United States. Using data from rural school districts in New York, this article provides the first direct estimation of consolidation's cost impacts. We find economies of size in operating spending: all else equal, doubling enrollment cuts operating costs per pupil by…

To the now-expansive literature on the causes and consequences of segregation in schooling and of inequality in educational opportunity in the United States, the author would like to add a call for more attention to the politics of school districting--that is, to how and why districts are created, in the service of whose interests, and with what…

Presents results of a detailed study of potential cost savings from consolidation of New York school districts. Develops a theoretical framework that distinguishes several economy-of-scale dimensions and defines an empirical cost function for schooling. Results indicate substantial cost savings from consolidating districts with fewer than 500…

Describes a Levittown (New York) elementary principal's strategy for handling a permanent school closure resulting from unfavorable demographic trends, rising taxes, and drastic cutbacks in state aid. All students were given tours of a newly created middle school or alternative elementary schools, and K-4 students participated in pen pal exchanges…

Attention is focused on the possible loss of efficiency associated with efforts to increase size by closing schools and consolidating school districts. Empirical evidence from New York State is presented that shows that lower levels of efficiency exist in large compared to small school districts. Implications for policy are explored. (Author/CT)

Results of school district reorganization may be viewed in a number of ways. Frequently progress is measured in terms of the number of local districts eliminated by incorporating their territory in larger units. Results may likewise be measured by increases in the number of new districts having certain characteristics of size or other features…

This paper describes the origins, structure, and components of the Chancellor's District, and details the findings about its outcomes for elementary schools. The Chancellor's District initiative ended in July 2003, with the implementation of a system-wide restructuring policy that reorganized the entire New York City school system. The 32…

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…

Considerable interest in consolidation or reorganization of school districts derives from the perception that consolidation produces significant cost savings due to scale economies in the provision of education. This paper examines potential cost savings from consolidation of New York school districts--an initiative actively encouraged by the…

PROBLEMS OF THE GREENBURGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM ITS TRANSITION FROM A RURAL TO A SUBURBAN COMMUNITY ARE DISCUSSED. THE COMMUNITY IS ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES TO THE CHILDREN OF THE DISTRICT. A LARGE SITE CONTAINS--A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ADMINISTRATIVE…

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BOTH WITHIN THE STATES AND FROM STATE TO STATE. IN SOME CASES SCHOOL DISTRICT STRUCTURE IS COTERMINOUS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS AND IS "DEPENDENT" ON THEM. HOWEVER, 78 PERCENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS ARE IN "INDEPENDENT" SCHOOL DISTRICTS…