Savings From School Consolidation Plans Uncertain

Researchers are divided on whether streamlining results in cost-efficiency.

Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci’s bold promise to save state and local taxpayers $241 million over the next three years by consolidating roughly 290 school administrative units into 26 “regional centers” is drawing questions about whether such savings estimates are realistic.

Quite apart from the political and policy debates ignited by such a far-ranging overhaul, researchers are divided on whether district consolidation translates into fiscal efficiency—a key argument by state leaders who advance consolidation plans.

Studies on the effects of such plans...