Halifax, Pa. - Gov. Ed Rendell says when it comes to school districts, less is more. And many people agree with him - even Republicans.

"I applaud the governor for taking that initiative because consolidation is something we should be encouraging," said Sen. Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin County.

"I think consolidation has always been a good idea that's out there. I think it's appropriate," said Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks County.

Pennsylvania currently has 501 districts, with 501 superintendents and their six-figure salaries and 501 administrations. In his budget address, Rendell said the number should be reduced to about 100.

Merging them would save money, right?

"We actually found it would cost our taxpayers money to do a consolidation," said Bob Hassinger, superintendent of the Halifax School District, which recently studied merging with the nearby Millersburg School District.

After spending two years and $58,000, both districts came to one conclusion.

"For us it was not the best decision to do at this time," said Millersburg superintendent Sheree-Lee Knorr.

In arguing for consolidation, Gov. Rendell spotlighted Maryland, which has just 24 school districts. He didn't mention that most of our neighbors - New York, New Jersey and Ohio - have more than 600.

Reducing the number of districts in Pennsylvania means making each one bigger.

"There's a lot more bureaucracy in larger consolidated districts than there would be in smaller districts," Hassinger said.

The superintendents of Halifax and Millersburg insist bigger is not more economical and pointed to the state's biggest school district as proof.

"Is it that efficient in Philadelphia?" Knorr asked.

Halifax and Millersburg are among the smallest districts in the state and they sit side by side. If they couldn't make a merger work, it'll be a tough assignment to get down to a hundred.

 Email To Friend